Badruddoza Badal, the legal affairs secretary of BNP, has described the dissolution of Supreme Court Secretariat and subsequent return of its officials to the Ministry of Law as a “normal process.”
Speaking to journalists at the Supreme Court Bar Association on Wednesday, Badal clarified that the move does not signify the closure of doors toward a separate secretariat or the independence of the judiciary.
His remarks followed a notification issued by the Law and Justice Division of the Ministry of Law on 19 May, which returned 15 officials, including the Senior Secretary, to the ministry following the secretariat’s abolition.
Addressing the legal status of the officials, Badal questioned their ability to function under the previous arrangement, noting that the ordinance had not yet been converted into law or passed by Parliament.
He emphasised that BNP is a major stakeholder regarding judicial separation and independence but pointed out that the party had no representative in the previous committee. Consequently, BNP maintains that the initial ordinance was not “comprehensive.”
Badal assured that BNP intends to introduce a comprehensive bill in Parliament in the future to ensure the secretariat achieves full effectiveness. He stated there is no reason for concern or a need for contrary observations regarding the current developments.
When asked if the dissolution of the secretariat amounted to contempt of court, BNP legal affairs secretary dismissed the suggestion.
He argued that since the matter has not yet been passed in Parliament and the party intends to bring forth a bill after thorough examination to avoid future controversy or criticism, there is no element of contempt involved.
