The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs has issued show-cause notices to 28 lower court judges for allegedly making critical remarks about their appointing and controlling authorities on social media. The ministry directed the judges to submit written explanations within seven working days. The letters, confirmed by officials of the Judicial Service Association, stated that such comments violated the Supreme Court’s directives on social media use and constituted misconduct under the Bangladesh Judicial Service (Discipline) Rules, 2017.

According to the ministry’s notice, the judges’ actions were deemed harmful to service discipline and contrary to the conduct expected from members of the judiciary. The letters warned that failure to respond within the stipulated time could lead to further action under the relevant disciplinary provisions.

Several judges, speaking anonymously, denied posting any such remarks on social media. They claimed that their discussions took place on private platforms and alleged that the government had been misinformed. Some judges suggested that the move aimed to discourage collective efforts concerning issues like a separate judicial secretariat and judicial appointment ordinances.