The appeal hearing against the High Court verdict establishing a separate secretariat for the judiciary is scheduled to begin on September 1. The information was confirmed on June 16. The case stems from a writ petition filed by lawyer Shishir Monir on August 25 of the previous year, challenging Article 116 of the Constitution, which concerns the control and discipline of subordinate courts.
In the writ, the petitioner sought to place the authority over discipline, postings, promotions, and leave of magistrates under the Supreme Court. On September 1, the High Court declared Article 116 unconstitutional and directed the formation of a separate Supreme Court Secretariat within three months. Following the verdict, the secretariat began operating formally.
However, after the current government took office, the ordinance establishing the Supreme Court Secretariat was not enacted into law, resulting in its cancellation. The upcoming appeal hearing will determine the future of the judiciary’s administrative independence.