July uprising did not intend to abolish constitution: Chief Justice

Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refat Ahmed has clarified that the July uprising did not intend to abolish Bangladesh’s Constitution.

Speaking on his last working day before retirement at the Appellate Division on Thursday (December 18), he said the goal of the July uprising was to preserve the integrity and accountability of the judiciary.

In his farewell address, the Chief Justice emphasised, “As long as the judiciary upholds its values, the Supreme Court will remain the ultimate bastion of justice and independence in a democracy.”

He added that the judiciary must adhere to the principles enshrined in the Constitution, including separation of powers, judicial independence, democratic governance, fundamental rights, and popular sovereignty.

According to him, the judiciary’s strength lies not in any single office but in a collective commitment to justice guided by integrity and foresight.

On the same day, a farewell ceremony was held at the Appellate Division, attended by justices from the Supreme Court and High Court, tribunal judges, senior lawyers, and officials from the Supreme Court Secretariat. The Attorney General’s Office and the Supreme Court Bar Association presented tributes to the retiring Chief Justice.