Dhaka: The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) today continued for the eighth day its hearings on an appeal challenging its previous judgment that abolished the non-party caretaker government system for holding national elections. The full bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, presided over the hearing.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Senior Advocate Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal continued his arguments on behalf of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which filed one of the pleas in connection with the case. Additional Attorney General Barrister Aneek R Haque presented arguments for the state, while Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman was also present during the proceedings.
The hearings have seen participation from several senior advocates. Notably, Senior Advocates Zainul Abedin and Ruhul Quddus Kazal participated in the hearing on November 4, with Advocate Abedin having commenced his submissions on October 29. Prior to this, Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir argued on behalf of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on October 28. Advocate Sharif Bhuiyan was the first to present arguments on October 21 on behalf of five distinguished citizens and continued the following day. Barrister Ehsan Abdullah Siddiq also contributed to the hearing as an intervener on October 23.
The backdrop of these proceedings traces back to August 27, 2025, when the Appellate Division granted leave to appeal against its 2011 verdict that declared the 13th Amendment, which introduced the caretaker government system, unconstitutional. The court's order followed multiple review petitions seeking the reinstatement of the 13th Amendment and the revival of the caretaker system.
In total, four review pleas were filed, including submissions 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 pleas are being heard collectively.
Previously, on December 17, 2024, the High Court had declared the abolition of the caretaker government system unconstitutional. Following the High Court judgment, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman informed reporters that the ruling effectively restored the caretaker provision as part of the Constitution.