SC fixes Nov 4 for state hierarchy appeal hearing

The Supreme Court of Bangladesh has allowed a new hearing regarding the state hierarchy of important national figures. The court has scheduled the hearing for November 4.

A six-judge appeal bench led by Chief Justice Md. Ashfaqul Islam issued the order on Thursday morning.

Earlier, on January 11, 2015, the Appellate Division had issued a ruling on the state hierarchy. The full judgment was published on November 10, 2016. That ruling stated:

1)Constitutional office holders should be placed at the top of the hierarchy based on their importance.

2) District judges and equivalent-ranked judges, previously 24th, would be promoted to 16th, equal to secretaries.

3) Additional district judges and equivalent-ranked judges would be placed 17th, just after district judges.

The ruling also clarified that the state hierarchy is only to be used for official ceremonies and protocol, not for policymaking or other purposes.

For context, under the Rules of Business, the Warrant of Precedence was first issued on September 11, 1986, and later amended in 2000. The Bangladesh Judicial Service Association’s former secretary Ataur Rahman had challenged the validity of this amended Warrant in the High Court. Following that petition, on February 4, 2010, the High Court annulled the Warrant of Precedence and issued eight directives.