Eminent Bangladeshi jurist says impeachment of SC judges not in nation's interest

Eminent Bangladeshi jurist Dr. Kamal Hossain has criricized the ruling Awami League (AL) government for seeking to amend a charter that will empower parliament to impeach Supreme Court judges.

Addressing a discussion titled "Amendment to the Constitution: Impeachment of the judges and its significance", organized by the Sushasoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJON) at the Jatiya Press Club here, Dr. Hossain said the government's move was "not right at all" and "not in the interest of the country and its people".

Hossain, one of the framers of the Bangladesh Constitution, and a former law and foreign minister, advised that public opinion should be solicited and added that if any amendment to the Constitution is to be done, it should be on the basis of consensus, reports the Daily Star.

It may be recalled that on August 18, the cabinet had approved a proposal on amending the Constitution to restore parliament's authority to impeach Supreme Court judges on grounds of misconduct or incapacity.

It also said that the existing constitutional provision for the chief justice-led Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) will cease to exist once the Constitution Amendment Bill is passed in the parliament.

Dr. Hossain said the government has been hasty in going ahead with the amendment, and suggested comprehensive dialogue and debate before finalizing the amendment.