Writ seeks bar on retd HC judges from practicing law at SC

A writ petition was filed the High Court today seeking restriction on retired HC judges from practicing law at the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court lawyer Eunus Ali Akond submitted the petition with the writ section of the High Court also praying to the HC to scrap the provision of the constitution that permitted the retired HC judges to practice law.

Akond will move the petition before the HC for hearing next week.

Citing the petition, Eunus told The Daily Star that it has been said in the 15th amendment of the constitution that the original constitution of 1972 has been restored. The 1972 constitution restricted the retired HC judges from practicing law in the apex court.

He said the then Ziaur Rahman amended that provision in 1978 permitting the retired HC judges to practice law.

Under Section 33 of the 15th amendment, the retired HC judges are permitted to practice law which is contradictory to the 1972 constitution.

He said two retired HC judges – Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Shahidul Islam – are practicing law in the SC although they are enjoying the state facilities, which is against the 1972 constitution.