SC verdict on review petition over 'Warrant of Precedence' Thursday

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has scheduled Thursday, August 7, for delivering its verdict over the review petition on "the Warrant of Precedence", which sets the rank order and state protocol among the officials of the state and other dignitaries.

The six-judge bench, headed by Justice Md. Ashfaqul Islam, fixed the date during a hearing held on Wednesday morning.

The review petition challenges the Appellate Division’s previous verdict on the official ranking of important persons in the country. The hearing concluded on July 30, with the court setting August 7 for the delivery of the verdict.

Barrister Salauddin Dolon and Advocate Ahsanul Karim represented the petitioners, while Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajol appeared as an intervener. Additional Attorney General Barrister Anik R. Haque appeared on behalf of the state.

The case stems from a request by the Judicial Service Association, filed on January 9, for an expedited review of the state protocol ranking. The hearing on the review petition began on April 27.

In its 2015 verdict, fully published in November 2016, the Appellate Division had established the protocol hierarchy, prioritizing constitutional office holders at the top. District Judges and their equivalents were elevated to the 16th position, equal to government secretaries, while Additional District Judges were placed at the 17th position.

The verdict also specified that the state protocol ranking is to be used solely for official ceremonies and should not influence policymaking or other activities.

The dispute originally arose following the amendment of the Warrant of Precedence in 2000. Its validity was challenged by Ataur Rahman, former General Secretary of the Bangladesh Judicial Service Association, leading to a High Court ruling in 2010 that invalidated the amended document and issued several directives.

The Supreme Court’s upcoming verdict is expected to settle the matter conclusively.