Final Hearing on Justice Md. Akhtaruzzaman Set for August 26 Supreme Judicial Council Investigates Five High Court Judges

The Supreme Judicial Council is conducting investigations into allegations against five High Court judges. Among them, Justice Md. Akhtaruzzaman has provided an explanation regarding the accusations against him. The Supreme Judicial Council has scheduled the final hearing on Justice Md. Akhtaruzzaman’s case for August 26.

In a press release issued on Thursday, the Supreme Court administration provided updates on the council’s activities. The Supreme Judicial Council, comprising the Chief Justice and the two senior-most justices, is tasked with investigating allegations of incapacity or serious misconduct against judges and taking appropriate action. The council, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, includes Appellate Division Justices Md. Ashfaqul Islam and Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury.

On October 16, 2024, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement held a protest surrounding the High Court, demanding the resignation of “fascist” judges. On the same day, the Anti-Discrimination Lawyers’ Society marched, calling for the resignation of “partisan and corrupt” High Court judges, while the Legal Wing of the National Citizens’ Committee held a rally demanding the removal of judges labeled as “collaborators of fascism.” Following discussions with the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement on October 16, 2024, Supreme Court Registrar General Aziz Ahmad Bhuiyan announced that 12 High Court judges would temporarily not be assigned to any bench. Their names were not disclosed at the time, and they were barred from judicial duties starting October 20, 2024. In 2014, the then-Awami League government introduced the 16th Constitutional Amendment, transferring the authority to remove judges to the National Parliament. However, the High Court and Appellate Division later declared this amendment unconstitutional. On October 20, 2024, the Appellate Division disposed of a state petition seeking a review of the ruling, with observations. **Investigation Ongoing Against Five of the 12 Judges** According to a press release signed by Supreme Court Public Relations Officer Md. Shafiqul Islam, the Supreme Judicial Council was revived after the disposal of the review petition. On October 16, 2024, following complaints against 12 High Court judges, the Chief Justice refrained from assigning them to benches. One of them, Justice Shahed Nooruddin, resigned on January 30, 2025. The release further stated that two judges, Justice Md. Aminul Islam and Justice S.M. Masud Hossain Dolon, were not appointed as permanent High Court judges. They were appointed as additional judges on July 31, 2022, and their tenure as additional judges was extended for six months on July 30, 2024, by the President. Their extended term ended on January 30, 2025. Two other judges, Justice Md. Ataur Rahman Khan and Justice Ashish Ranjan Das, retired on December 30, 2024, and January 30, 2025, respectively, upon completing their service terms. Following a thorough investigation by the Supreme Judicial Council, the President removed two judges: Justice Khizir Hayat on March 18, 2025, and Justice Khondkar Diliruzzaman on May 21, 2025. The council’s investigation into the remaining five judges, including Justice Md. Akhtaruzzaman, is ongoing. On March 23, 2025, the President directed the Supreme Judicial Council to conduct a full investigation into Justice Md. Akhtaruzzaman’s case.