Judges’ service rules: SC accepts gazette

The Supreme Court Appellate Division has accepted the government’s gazette outlining the rules of employment and conduct for lower court judges, bringing to end a long tussle between the judiciary and the executive branch.

After various delays the government finally submitted another draft of the service rules on Dec 11. The state then submitted it as an affidavit to the Appellate Division.

An appellate bench of five justices led by acting Chief Justice Md Abdul Wahhab Miah accepted the gazette on Wednesday and issued an order.

“The Appellate Division accepts the rules of discipline and conduct issued for lower court judges bearing in mind the supremacy of the Supreme Court,” it said.

Though it has settled the matter of the gazette, the court has maintained its observations regarding the Masdar Hossain case, which served as the impetus for the clarification for the service rules.

The case was first brought before the Appellate Division on May 30, 2012.

More to follow