Reinstatemen of caretaker system steer country back on ‘highway of democracy’: AG

Attorney General (AG) Md Asaduzzaman has said that The reinstatement of the caretaker government system will steer Bangladesh back onto the “highway of democracy.”

He made the remark after the Appellate Division scrapped its 14-year-old verdict that had annulled the 13th Amendment on Thursday (November 20).

Speaking at a press conference at his Supreme Court office around 11:30am, he said rule out of the caretaker system had “buried democracy”, but today’s verdict has revived the previous framework.

The restored provisions will take effect within 15 days after the next dissolution of Parliament, he added.

The Appellate Division has ruled that the caretaker system, introduced in 1996 through the 13th Amendment, is constitutional and may be applied when necessary.

Responding to questions on alleged political bias in judicial decisions, the Attorney General said the judiciary does not deliver partisan rulings, adding that the nation will judge which verdicts protect democracy, voting rights, rule of law, and constitutional institutions.

He also said the earlier judgment was scrapped because it was “flawed and tainted”, noting that the then–Chief Justice A B M Khairul Haque and his colleagues committed an offence under Section 219 of the Penal Code while writing it.

On possible changes to the caretaker model outlined in the July Charter, he said Parliament may discuss adjustments if the public demands reforms in the future.

He believes no further controversy will arise over the verdict in the interest of democracy.