Dhaka, March 17 (bdnews24.com)—The chief justice Monday stripped High Court judge Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman, who handed down verdicts in a series of high-profile cases, of his writ powers.
The HC bench consisting of Justice Nayeem and Justice Shahidul Islam has been given the jurisdiction of hearing the first civil appeal of more than Tk 1 lakh, revision and rule.
The bench saw changes for a second time in less than three months. In a Jan 1 order, chief justice Md Ruhul Amin had shifted Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury from the bench of Justice Nayeem. Justice Shahidul Islam filled the vacancy at the time.
Monday's order by the CJ comes as the HC bench is scheduled to hold the final hearing from March 19 on a writ petition by barrister Masud Reza Sobhan challenging the validity of not holding national elections in 90 days from the dissolution of parliament.
The bench also gave a verdict cancelling businessman Azam Jahangir Chowdhury's case against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
The bench also asserted that the High Court can allow bail even to convicts in cases under emergency powers rules.
The bench passed a verdict, declaring illegal the Anticorruption Commission's notice seeking a wealth statement from Hasina.
In a Feb 18 verdict, the bench ruled illegal acting law secretary Kazi Habibul Awal's appointment. The opinion given for appointing Awal as acting secretary was not of the Supreme Court and it was the opinion of the chief justice, the bench said.
According to article 94 of the constitution, the Supreme Court means the Appellate Division and the High Court Division, the judges had explained.
The Supreme Court consists of the judges of both divisions, but the two judges said they were not aware of anything about the appointment.
The bench also granted bail to former prime minister Khaleda Zia in the GATCO corruption case.
The jurisdiction of death reference hearing of the High Court bench of Justice Md Iman Ali and Justice AFM Abdur Rahman has been changed and the bench has been given the jurisdiction of hearing writ appeals.
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