Bangladesh’s government is set to regain control over the appointment of Supreme Court judges after a parliamentary special committee recommended the cancellation of several ordinances issued during the interim government. Among the 133 ordinances reviewed, 20 will not be approved this session, including three related to judicial independence. The Supreme Court Judge Appointment Ordinance 2025, which created an independent council led by the Chief Justice to recommend judicial appointments, is among those to be repealed. The committee argued that the ordinance conflicted with the constitution and limited the president’s role in appointments.

The committee’s report, presented by its chairman Zainul Abedin, also proposed repealing the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance, citing concerns that it would disrupt coordination between the judiciary and the executive. Opposition members from Jamaat-e-Islami filed dissent notes on 20 ordinances, arguing that some reforms strengthened judicial independence and anti-corruption mechanisms. Legal experts and civic groups expressed deep concern that repealing these ordinances would undermine judicial independence and the rule of law.

The cancellation of these ordinances is expected to take effect after April 10, potentially reversing key reforms introduced by the interim government and reigniting political debate over constitutional and judicial reforms.