Staff Reporter :
The Judiciary Reform Commission (JRC) has submitted its report to Chief Adviser (CA) Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday, proposing significant reforms to enhance judicial independence and transparency.
Confirming the matter, Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said that Judiciary Reform Commission chief Justice Shah Abu Naeem Mominur Rahman handed over the commission reports to Chief Adviser Prof Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna.
In the submitted reports, the Judiciary Reform Commission (JRC) has proposed to give enough authority to the Supreme Judicial Council to probe the allegations against judges spontaneously even without receiving any request from the President and make recommendations of taking necessary actions in this regard.
The commission also suggested giving priority to the decision of the chief justice in fixing the number of judges at both the divisions of the Supreme Court and formulating provision to appoint senior-most judge as the chief justice at the Appellate Division.
The apex court on October 20, 2024, reinstated the Supreme Judicial Council to remove apex court judges for incapacity or violating the code of conduct as the Appellate Division disposed of a plea to review its judgment that had declared the 16th constitutional amendment illegal.
Proposal was also made for devising and subsequently publishing a code of conduct for people holding positions who cannot be removed except through the procedures applicable for the Supreme Court judges and former judges, officially by the Supreme Judicial Council.
The JRC also proposed to enact an act to form a “Supreme Court Judge Appointment Commission” consisting of nine members, headed by the Chief Justice, to appoint Supreme Court judges in the most transparent process possible.
It recommended amending the article 116 of the Constitution and establishing a separate Supreme Court Secretariat, to bring full control of the Supreme Court over the transfer, promotion, leave and disciplinary matters of the judges of the subordinate courts, ending the executive authority. The JRC also proposed to amend the relevant rules of the Judicial Service Commission.
