AG vows impartial duty above politics
Newly appointed Attorney General Ruhul Quddus Kazal has vowed to work “dispassionately” in the interest of the people and the state.
Speaking at his office on Sunday, the senior Supreme Court lawyer outlined his approach after formally beginning duties.
Kazal was appointed on Mar 25 but assumed office on Sunday.
On whether political affiliations would affect him, he said: “I am a constitutionally appointed attorney general. I have had political beliefs and affiliations. But in performing my duties as attorney general, no political ideology will influence me, reports bdnews24.com.
“I have been appointed entirely as the attorney general of the state. I will always speak in the interest of the state, for the welfare of the state, and on behalf of the state.”
Describing the state as “abstract” and administered through government, he said he would act with “policy, integrity, diligence and patriotism” in the public interest. Asked about the judicial secretariat ordinance, Kazal said the three organs of the state operate independently.
“The executive functions in its way, parliament — now restored — is sovereign, and the judiciary is also sovereign.”
On potential pressure over cases linked to the July movement, he said: “I am a seasoned lawyer… I do not personally feel any pressure in interpreting the constitution and law.
He added with a touch of humour, “The only thing I can probably do comfortably is practise law properly,” calling his appointment recognition of professional excellence.
He stressed the role of journalists alongside lawyers, noting his own past in journalism.
“I believe in the free flow of information,” he said, cautioning against misinformation and AI-driven content.
On restricted media access to the Supreme Court, he said he had raised the issue with the chief justice and would formally do so again, expressing confidence in a “reasonable” resolution.
Born on Nov 19, 1970, in Maheshpur, Jhenaidah, Kazal studied law at Dhaka University and enrolled in 1995. He later pursued postgraduate studies in the UK and was called to the Bar in 2006.
He served as second secretary at the Bangladesh High Commission in London from 2003 to 2006, resumed legal practice, and gained Appellate Division rights in 2008.
Politically active since student life, he held roles in Jatiyatabadi Ainjeebi Forum and defended BNP leaders, including Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman.
Arrested in Mar 2024 over a bar election clash, he was later released on bail.
He also served on BNP’s election committee before taking up his new constitutional role.
