HC appoints 7 amicus curiae in presidential oath-taking case

The High Court has set October 26 for the next hearing on a rule challenging the 15th Amendment provision that allows the Speaker, instead of the Chief Justice, to administer the presidential oath.

On Thursday, the HC bench of Justice Shashank Shekhar Sarkar and Justice KM Zahid Sarwar appointed seven amicus curiae to provide opinions on the matter. They are Senior Advocate Zainul Abedin, Advocate Prabir Niyogi, Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Dr. Shahdeen Malik, Advocate Ahsanul Karim, Barrister Mostafizur Rahman Khan, and Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua.

The writ, filed by lyricist Shahidullah Faraiji on March 10, seeks restoration of the 1972 Constitution’s original provision requiring the Chief Justice to administer the oath to the President.

Following the initial hearing on March 11, the court issued a rule asking why the 15th Amendment provision should not be declared inconsistent with the 1972 Constitution and nullified.

Barrister Omar Faruq Faruqi represented the petitioner during the hearing.