The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has urged the government to take public opinion on its move to amend the constitution to restore parliament’s authority to impeach the Supreme Court judges for misconduct or incompetence.
The Cabinet approved the draft of the 16th constitutional amendment that seeks to return the power to impeach the SC judges to the parliament taking it from the Supreme Judicial Council, reports UNB.
The parliament had this power under the country’s original 1972 constitution.
In a statement on Saturday, TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the government should consult constitutional and legal experts, researchers, civil society members and media professionals before parliament passes the amendment.
He called for an objective analysis on the rationality of returning the power to the parliament.
He said the 1972 constitution aimed at establishing democracy, good governance and justice. But it was changed indiscriminately by the politicians.
TIB chief said there is concern about whether the Supreme Judicial Council will lose its power and how much freedom the judiciary will enjoy and how the judges will perform their duties free from political influence.
