Woman judge reaches new heights

Nazmun Ara Sultana became the first woman in Bangladesh to serve as head of an Appellate Division bench in Supreme Court, the apex court that gives a final verdict in the country’s judicial system.

Observers say this is undoubtedly another milestone in the development of women in Bangladesh.

The newly-formed second bench of the Appellate Division led by Justice Nazmun Ara began its hearings at courtroom-2 of the Supreme Court on Monday.

“Namun Ara is the first woman judge in Bangladesh. She is the first woman to lead a bench in the Appellate Division,” Supreme Court Registrar AKM Shamsul Islam told bdnews24.com.

On Sunday, Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain formed two benches of the Appellate Division to speed up disposal of cases.

The Chief Justice will be leading the first bench comprising justices Surendra Kumar Sinha, Md Abdul Wahhab Miah, Syed Mahmud Hossain, Siddiqur Rahman Miah and AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury.

The first bench will be conducting its activities at courtroom-1.

Justice Nazmun Ara Sultana will be leading the second bench comprising justices Imman Ali, Mohammad Anwarul Haque and Hasan Foez Siddique. The second bench will be conducting its activities at courtroom-2.

Until Sunday, the Appellate Division had a single bench. The Appellate Division bench was last split when Khairul Haque was Chief Justice.

Justice Nazmun Ara Sultana has been a judge during most of her carrer. She is expected to retire on Jul 8, 2017 - two-and-a-half years after the incumbent Chief Justice retires on Jan 17, 2015.

Nazmun Ara was born in Moulvibazar on Jul 8, 1950. She lost her father Chowdhury Abul Kashem Moinuddin at a young age and spent her childhood with her five siblings and her mother Begum Rashida Sultana Deen in Mymensingh. Rashida Sultana was teacher of Radhasundari Girls High School in Mymensingh.

Nazmun Ara completed her Secondary School Certificate (SSC) from Bidyamoyi Government High School in 1965, Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) from Muminunnesa Women’s College in 1967, Bachelors of Science (BSc) from Ananda Mohan College – all in Mymensingh.

It was her father’s wish that at least one of his children would become a lawyer. Following her father’s dreams, she completed Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Mymenshahi Law College in 1972 and began as a lawyer in Mymensingh District Court in July 1972.

In those times, it was not possible for a woman to become a judge. That changed in 1974.

She appeared for Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examinations and joined as a ‘Munsif’ in the judicial division in Dec 20, 1975. She was the first women judge of Bangladesh. In Dec 20, 1990 she became district and Sessions Judge’s Court judge.

Nazmun Ara was appointed as additional judge in the High Court division of the Supreme Court in May 28, 2000. She was later appointed as permanent judge. She took oath as an Appellate Division judge in Feb 23, 2011.

She was a High Court bench judge on the much talked-about Fatwa ban case of 2001. The bench had Senior Judge Golam Rabbani.

She was also a judge of the cases involving Khaleda Zia’s cantonment residence, 10 left-out cases during BNP rule and the caretaker abolishment (Appellate Division).