Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed. File Photo

DHAKA, Dec 11, 2025 (BSS) - Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed today inaugurated the Supreme Court (SC) Secretariat, describing the long-awaited moment as a historic institutional milestone.

"Today, we are standing at a truly historic institutional moment. Everyone you see here has, in one way or another, contributed and partnered with this interim government, and collectively we have achieved this milestone," he said.

The chief justice formally unveiled the SC secretariat by removing the ceremonial cloth from the cornerstone at Supreme Court Administrative Building-4 at 3:20 pm. 

The inauguration was also attended by Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, Supreme Court Bar Council President Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, and Bangladesh Bar Council Vice-Chairman Senior Advocate Zainul Abedin.

"Our journey does not end here. The most important step ahead is to ensure the continuity and effective functioning of this secretariat. The coming months and years will show how successfully we can achieve this," Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed also said.

He further stated, "Our constitutional authority to conduct judicial functions and oversee the justice system has now been consolidated within the Supreme Court. While the success of this initiative will be credited to us, we must also acknowledge our responsibility for any shortcomings."

The chief justice called upon all stakeholders, including future elected governments and all partners, to uphold the rule of law and advance democracy.

On November 30, a separate Secretariat for the Bangladesh Supreme Court was announced, marking a new milestone in the country's judicial system aimed at strengthening institutional independence and effective oversight.

The Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry issued the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance, 2025, under the President's directive. Previously, on November 20, the interim government gave final approval to the draft ordinance for establishing a separate judicial secretariat, fulfilling a long-standing demand.

To further strengthen the judicial system's structural independence and efficiency, the chief justice on October 27, 2024, submitted a proposal to the Law Ministry for creating a separate judicial secretariat. 

The proposal highlighted the need for a distinct secretariat under article 109 of the constitution to effectively supervise subordinate courts and tribunals. It also included a draft ordinance, the new secretariat's organogram, Rules of Business, and a proposed business allocation framework.

Through the issuance and inauguration of the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance, 2025, and with the interim government's support, the long-cherished vision of establishing a separate secretariat for the judiciary has finally become a reality.