Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed at Supreme Court Bar Association auditorium. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Mar 17, 2025 (BSS) - Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed has said establishing an independent secretariat under the Supreme Court is crucial to ensure institutional independence of the judiciary.

“A judiciary can only effectively fulfill its responsibilities when institutional independence is ensured through establishing of an independent Judicial Secretariat,” he said.

Chief Justice was addressing an Iftar pragramme organized by the Bangladesh Law Association at the Supreme Court Bar Association auditorium here today.

Dr. Refaat Ahmed said the long-term success of the interim government’s reform initiatives largely depends on the independence of the judiciary.

The Chief Justice emphasized on role of the Bangladesh Law Association in the legal reforms, saying, “The Association, consisting of former students of DU law department has a significant responsibility to advance judicial reforms with expertise and institutional connections.”

“The Association’s members, with their intellectual capacity, legal proficiency, and deep institutional links, can play a vital role in the reform process to make an accountable judiciary,” he added.

He also expressed hope that Bangladesh Law Association would actively engage in discussions with stakeholders, provide consultations on various policy issues, and contribute to the unification of legal professionals to help implement judicial reform proposals.

The coming days would be crucial for achieving institutional autonomy for the judiciary, and the Association could significantly help implementing the roadmap, the Chief Justice said.

Appellate Division judges Justice Md. Ashfaqul Islam, Justice Md. Rezaul Haque, and Justice SM Emdadul Hoque, former Appellate Division Justice Mirza Hossain Haider, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, Secretary to law ministry Sheikh Abu Taher and Supreme Court Registrar General Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan were present.

Bangladesh Law association convener Advocate Monir Hossain presided over the programme while it member secretary Md. Kamal Hossain conducted the event.