DHAKA, Aug 26, 2025 (BSS) - The Supreme Judicial Council has concluded its final hearing on one of the High Court judge while the final hearing on another judge is set to be held on September 2 next.

According to the news update of the Supreme Court here today, the council has already completed the final hearing on Justice Md Akhtaruzzaman, who is on leave.  The decision in his case is likely to be announced at any time. 

Meanwhile, the final hearing on High Court Division Judge Muhammad Khurshid Alam Sarkar is set to be held on September 02. 

Earlier, the power to remove Supreme Court judges was vested upon the parliament instead of the Supreme Judicial Council through the Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution.
 
Later, the High Court Division and Appellate Division of the Supreme Court declared the 16th Amendment illegal, but the review petition in this connection remained pending.

Subsequently, the three-member Supreme Judicial Council headed by Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed began its activities. The other two members of the council are Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam and Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury of the Appellate Division.

The council has been investigating allegations against 12 judges who were sent on leave on October 16 last. The judges were barred from their duties on the High Court bench due to the allegations of corruption and nepotism toward the deposed Sheikh Hasina’s government.

The 12 judges are: Justice Naima Haider, Justice Sheikh Hasan Arif, Justice Ashish Ranjan Das, Justice Mohammad Khurshid Alam Sarker, Justice SM Moniruzzaman, Justice Ataur Rahman Khan, Justice Shahed Nur Uddin, Justice Md Akhtaruzzaman, Justice Md Aminul Islam, Justice SM Masud Hossain Dolon, Justice Khizir Hayat and Justice Khondaker Diliruzzaman.

One of them (Justice Shahed Nuruddin) resigned through a letter addressed to the President on January 30. Besides, two judges (Justice Md Aminul Islam and Justice SM Masud Hossain Dolon) were not appointed as permanent judges of the High Court Division.

They were appointed as additional judges of the High Court Division on July 31, 2022. On July 30 last year, the President appointed them as additional judges for another six months instead of appointing them as permanent judges.

Their extended term also ended on January 30. Besides, two other judges (Justice Md Ataur Rahman Khan and Justice Ashish Ranjan Das) already went into retirement.

Of these, Justice Md. Ataur Rahman Khan retired on December 30 and Justice Ashish Ranjan Das on January 30 after completing their service terms.

In addition, the President removed two judges after a thorough investigation by the Supreme Judicial Council. Of these, Justice Khizir Hayat was removed on March 18 and Justice Khondaker Diliruzzaman on May 21.

The council's investigation is currently ongoing regarding the other five judges. Among these, five judges, the President directed the Supreme Judicial Council on March 23 to conduct a thorough investigation into the case of Justice Md Akhtaruzzaman.

Later, on June 25, Justice Md Akhtaruzzaman was summoned before the Supreme Judicial Council to explain the allegations made against him. On July 1, Justice Akhtaruzzaman appeared before the council and explained the allegations brought against him.