Dhaka: The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court today adjourned till March 5 the hearing on the appeals filed against the High Court verdict that declared parts of the 15th amendment to the constitution ‘unconstitutional and void’. ‘Adjourned to March 5, 2026,’ announced the six-member Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the 15th amendment of the constitution was introduced in the Jatiya Sangsad on June 30, 2011, with a gazette published on July 3, 2011. This amendment brought changes to 54 provisions of the constitution, notably the abolition of the caretaker government system. In August 2024, five eminent citizens, including the General Secretary of SUJON, Badiul Alam Majumder, filed a writ petition challenging the amendment’s legality. Additionally, Freedom Fighter Md Mofazzal Hossain from Naogaon filed a related writ.
The High Court delivered its judgment on December 17, 2024, declaring the removal of the caretaker government system ‘illegal’ and reinstating the provision for a constitutional referendum. Following this judgment, three appeals were lodged. The first appeal came from four eminent citizens, including Badiul Alam Majumder. Jamaat-e-Islami filed the second appeal, and Freedom Fighter Mofazzal Hossain submitted the third plea against the High Court’s decision.
Senior advocate Sharif Bhuiyan represented the four eminent citizens, while advocate ASM Shahriar Kabir argued for Mofazzal Hossain and advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir represented Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh. Senior advocate Zainul Abedin participated in the hearing as an intervener for BNP, with Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal, Barrister Sara Hossain, and Barrister Ehsan Abdullah Siddique serving as independent interveners.