HC releases full verdict on setting up separate secretariat

The High Court on Tuesday released the full text of its verdict on setting up a separate and independent secretariat for the Supreme Court within three months.

Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury signed the 185-page verdict before it was uploaded on the official website of Supreme Court.

The High Court had issued the original verdict on 2 September last year during the interim government’s tenure, instructing the government to establish the separate secretariat for the judiciary within three months.

As per the full text of the verdict, the Supreme Court, and not the president, assumes the power to control job-related provisions and disciplinary actions of lower court judges, officials and magistrates.

Previously, the president, in consultation with the Supreme Court, could take decisions on job-related issues like appointments, promotions, and leave approvals as well as disciplinary measures against lower court judges and magistrates.

By removing the president’s powers, the High Court upheld the original Section 116 of the 1972 constitution, declaring the 4th amendment of 1975 void.