The High Court on Monday concluded the hearing of a writ petition challenging the legality of the July National Charter and the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, 2025 enacted for its implementation.
The petition also challenges the legality of the 12 February referendum and seeks annulment of the results announced on 13 February.
The bench of Justice Rajik Al Jalil and Justice Md Anwarul Islam heard arguments from all sides and set Tuesday for delivering its order.
Acting Attorney General Arshadur Rauf and Additional Attorney General Aneek R Haque represented the state.
Lawyers Ahsanul Karim and Syed Mamun Mahbub appeared for the petitioners, while Mohammad Hossain Lipu, Imran A Siddiq and Shishir Monir represented the respondents.
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, advocate Shishir Monir said raising questions over the July Charter and the referendum would be “self-defeating” and could cast doubt on the election and other measures undertaken by the immediate past interim government.
He argued that although provisions such as the interim administration and the 12 February, 2026 election are not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, they were adopted through consensus to address an extraordinary political situation.
According to him, the steps were taken following legal consultations in response to the mass uprising, and the court’s jurisdiction over events arising from such circumstances remains a matter of debate.
