Dhaka: The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has postponed its hearings on an appeal challenging its prior judgment that abolished the non-party caretaker government system for conducting national elections. The hearings are now set to resume on November 11, as declared by the full bench of the Appellate Division, presided over by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, following the ninth day of deliberations on the matter.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman continued his arguments before the apex court today. Accompanying him was Additional Attorney General Barrister Aneek R Haque, who, along with Asaduzzaman, commenced their arguments on November 5. Prior to this, Senior Advocates Zainul Abedin and Ruhul Quddus Kazal were heard on November 4 and 5, with Advocate Abedin beginning his submissions on October 29.
Earlier, on October 28, Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir presented arguments on behalf of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The series of hearings began on October 21 with Advocate Sharif Bhuiyan representing five distinguished citizens, continuing into the next day. Barrister Ehsan Abdullah Siddiq participated as an intervener on October 23.
The appeal stems from a decision made on August 27, 2025, when the Appellate Division granted leave to challenge its 2011 verdict that declared the 13th Amendment, which introduced the caretaker government system, unconstitutional. This order was issued after reviewing multiple petitions advocating for the reinstatement of the 13th Amendment and the revival of the caretaker system.
In total, four review pleas have been filed, led by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, five prominent citizens including SUJAN Secretary Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, and an individual petitioner. All these cases are being heard concurrently.
Previously, on December 17, 2024, the High Court deemed the abolition of the caretaker government system unconstitutional. Following the High Court’s judgment, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman informed reporters that the ruling effectively reinstated the caretaker provision within the Constitution.