13 HC Judges assigned to monitor subordinate courts nationwide

The Supreme Court has reconstituted monitoring committees for subordinate courts, assigning 13 High Court Division judges to oversee judicial administration across the country’s eight administrative divisions.

In a notification issued recently by the Supreme Court administration, it was stated that the Chief Justice has formed separate “Monitoring Committees for Subordinate Courts” and designated High Court judges to supervise district courts under specific regional jurisdictions. Judicial officers have also been appointed to provide secretarial support to the committees.

According to the notification, the assigned judges and their respective jurisdictions are as follows:

In Barishal Division, Justice Sheikh Md. Zakir Hossain has been appointed. Justice Md. Habibul Gani will oversee Rajshahi Division-2 (Bogra, Joypurhat, Pabna, Sirajganj), while Justice JBM Hassan has been assigned to Dhaka Division-1 (Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur, Manikganj, Munshiganj, Narsingdi, Tangail).

Justice Md. Mujibur Rahman Mia will supervise Khulna Division-1 (Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Jashore, Narail), and Justice Md. Zafar Ahmed will monitor Khulna Division-2 (Kushtia, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Jhenaidah, Magura). Justice Rajik Al Jalil has been assigned to Mymensingh Division (Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Sherpur, Netrokona), while Justice Fatema Najib will oversee Dhaka Division-2 (Kishoreganj, Faridpur, Rajbari, Gopalganj, Shariatpur, Madaripur).

In Chattogram Division-1 (Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachhari), Justice SM Kuddus Zaman has been appointed. Justice Shashank Shekhar Sarkar will supervise Rangpur Division-1 (Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat).

Justice Ahmed Sohel will oversee Chattogram Division-2 (Noakhali, Feni, Lakshmipur, Cumilla, Brahmanbaria, Chandpur), while Justice Sardar Md. Rashed Jahangir has been assigned Rajshahi Division-1 (Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, Natore). Justice KM Hafizul Alam will monitor Rangpur Division-2 (Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Nilphamari), and Justice Md. Atabullah has been assigned to Sylhet Division (Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj).

Earlier, on 27 January 2022, the then Chief Justice assigned eight High Court judges to oversee eight divisions. The structure was later expanded in October 2023 to 13 judges, and was subsequently reconstituted in April last year.

The Supreme Court stated that the revised framework aims to strengthen supervision, ensure efficiency, and improve administrative coordination in the lower judiciary across the country.