Law minister: It’s president’s jurisdiction to appoint chief justice

Law Minister Anisul Huq on Wednesday said the president is the sole authority to appoint the chief justice.

“In Bangladesh, the president has the authority to appoint the prime minister and the chief justice without asking anyone else. The president will appoint the chief justice whom he will deem fit for it. I think those who’re now in the Appellate Division are all fit for the post," he said.

The law minister came up with the remarks while responding to a question from reporters about the appointment of the chief justice at a program of the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) in Dhaka.

Replying to a question about the formation of the Election Commission (EC), the minister said: “The tenure of the EC will expire in February next year. The process for the formation of the EC has started and it’s under the jurisdiction of the president.” 

Responding to another question about allowing BNP chief Khaleda Zia to go abroad for treatment, the minister said the case in which Khaleda Zia got jail term was filed by the caretaker government, not the Awami League government.

“Khaleda has been released already under section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) on some conditions, now there’s no scope to reconsider her release. She has to go back to jail first and file a plea to the government,” he added.

The minister mentioned that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved her plea on humanitarian grounds. “The plea was disposed of and there is no scope to reconsider the disposed plea and you (journalists) know the government can’t do anything against the law.”

Talking about Khaleda’s treatment, Anisul said Khaleda’s physical condition has improved and she is getting proper treatment here.

Replying to a query about the Digital Security Act (DSA), the minister said: “There’s no scope to arrest any journalist under the DSA instantly if anyone is sued under the act. We’ve taken steps in this regard.”

He also mentioned that the DSA Act was not enacted to curb the freedom of the media. “There’s an importance of the DSA Act and we’re also informed about its misuse.”