HC declines plea on 18-month interim govt review

The High Court in Bangladesh has dismissed a writ petition seeking an investigation into the 18-month activities of the immediate past interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus.

The bench of Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar issued the order on Thursday after hearing the petition.

Advocate M K Rahman and Advocate Muhsin Rashid appeared for the petitioner, while Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal represented the state.

The Attorney General argued that the petitioner did not have the required legal standing to file the case, saying only an aggrieved party could challenge the actions of the interim government through a writ petition. He added that the matter concerned the structure of the state and noted that a similar petition had already been dismissed earlier.

He also told the court that the current petition had been filed again on the same issue and described it as politically motivated.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Muhammad Muhsin Rashid had filed the writ on 17 May, challenging the activities of the interim government over an 18-month period. The Cabinet Division and the Secretary of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs were made respondents in the case.

The legal dispute over the interim administration has a long procedural history. Earlier, a writ petition challenging the legality of the oath and formation of the interim government was filed with the High Court and later rejected. On 4 December 2024, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s ruling, declaring the oath and formation process lawful.

Lawyers said the Appellate Division also dismissed the petitioner’s leave-to-appeal application while making observations on the matter.

Subsequently, another petition was filed challenging the activities of the Chief Adviser of the interim government.

Following the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August 2024, the President dissolved Parliament on 6 August. An interim government led by Professor Yunus was formed on 8 August.

Before the swearing-in, the President sought the Supreme Court’s opinion under Article 106 of the Constitution. In response, the seven-member Appellate Division, headed by then Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, said the President could appoint a Chief Adviser and advisers as an interim arrangement to address a constitutional vacuum and administer their oath.