16th Amendment Bill placed in Parliament

The 16th Amendment Bill to Constitution that will restore the parliament`s authority to impeach Supreme Court judges for misconduct or incapacity has been placed in the Parliament. Law Minister Anisul Haq placed the bill before the parliament on Sunday evening. The bill has been sent to Parliamentary Standing Committee for review. The committee has been asked to submit its report within seven days. On August 18, the cabinet approved the amendment proposal in face of widespread criticism by eminent jurists, civil society personalities and different political parties. The 1972 constitution empowered parliament to impeach SC judges. But the Awami League-led government in early 1975 conferred the power on the president through the fourth constitutional amendment. Military ruler Gen Ziaur Rahman, who amended the constitution through martial law proclamation in 1978, scrapped the president`s power and introduced the supreme judicial council system. The AL-led government kept the system almost as it was, while passing the 15th amendment to the constitution in 2011. The BNP is opposing the move and says the government wants to consolidate its ‘one-party rule’ through the amendment. – risingbd.com