Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed on Thursday urged the judiciary to view constitutional amendments as a democratic reality rather than a threat, emphasizing the people’s authority to shape the constitution over time.
Speaking at his farewell reception at Court No-1 of the Appellate Division, the outgoing Chief Justice said, “People possess constitutional authority and have the power to amend the constitution over time, and the judiciary must accept this as a democratic truth rather than perceive it as a threat.”
The reception was hosted jointly by Supreme Court Bar Association President AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman on behalf of the Bar and the Attorney General’s Office. Judges of both divisions of the Supreme Court, along with numerous lawyers, attended the event to honour the Chief Justice, who will retire on December 27.
Reflecting on his tenure, CJ Refaat Ahmed said, “Together we have passed through a significant period in the country’s judicial history. I am grateful for the cooperation I have received over the past sixteen months.”
Highlighting the role of the judiciary, he noted, “The state is governed through three principal organs, the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. The Supreme Court building is not merely a structure; it represents one of the three pillars of civic life.”
He further stressed that the strength of the judiciary lies not in a single office but in collective efforts, rooted in a shared commitment to justice. “While credit for judgments is often given to judges, it is the lawyers who present to the Court the arguments, reasoning, and language through which those decisions are formed and articulated,” he said.
“In an age defined by volatility, the judiciary’s steadiness, restraint, integrity, and courage may well become the nation’s most enduring source of stability,” the Chief Justice added.
At the start of the programme, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman and Supreme Court Bar Association President AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon delivered speeches highlighting Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed’s professional achievements and contributions during his tenure.
Syed Refaat Ahmed assumed office as the 25th Chief Justice of Bangladesh on 11 August, 2024, and will retire on December 27, marking a notable chapter in the country’s judicial history.
