Four justices sworn in to Appellate Division, Bangladesh’s top court

The new appointments come after mass resignations from Bangladesh’s top court

Four justices elevated to the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division have taken their oaths of office.

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed administered their oaths at the Supreme Court Judge’s Lounge at 10:45am on Tuesday.

The four new judges - Justices Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, Syed Md Ziaul Karim, Md Rezaul Haque, and SM Emdadul Hoque - were elevated in a notice from the president on Monday.

The notice stated that the president had appointed them under Article 95 (1) of the constitution.

Supreme Court Barrister Gen Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan presided over the oath-taking ceremony.

With the addition of the four new justices and the chief justice, the number of Appellate Division judges now stands at six.

After the fall of the Hasina government in the face of a mass movement, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan and five other judges of the Appellate Division submitted their resignations on Saturday based on the protesters' demands.

Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed of the High Court Division was appointed chief justice a few hours later.

The new chief justice took his oath of office on Monday.

Justice Chowdhury was enrolled as an advocate of the district court in 1985 and in the High Court Division in 1987. He was elevated to additional judge of the High Court Division in 2003 and then appointed judge to the same division in 2005.

Justice Karim was enrolled as an advocate of the district court in 1986, the High Court Division in 1988, and the Supreme Court in 1996. He was elevated to additional judge of the High Court Division in 2004 and then appointed judge to the same division in 2006.

Justice Haque was enrolled as an advocate of the district court in 1988, the High Court Division in 1988, and the Supreme Court in 1990. He was promoted to additional judge of the High Court Division in 2004 and then appointed judge to the same division in 2006.

Justice Hoque enrolled as an advocate of the district court in 1990, and the High Court Division in 1992. He was elevated to additional judge of the High Court Division in 2004 and then appointed judge to the same division in 2006.