DHAKA — The Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament of Bangladesh) on Thursday passed the Supreme Court Secretariat (Repeal) Bill, 2026, officially dissolving the independent administrative body established for the judiciary under the previous interim government.
The bill, presented by Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman, effectively rescinds the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance, 2025 and its 2026 amendment. The move returns the administrative and budgetary control of the judiciary to the executive branch.
Administrative Transition
Following the passage of the bill, the specialized secretariat is abolished. The transition involves several key structural changes:
Jurisdictional Shift: All budgets, projects, and administrative programs previously managed by the independent secretariat are transferred to the Law and Justice Division of the government.
Staff and Resources: While the physical infrastructure, vehicles, and office equipment for the Registry and subordinate courts remain in place, they will now operate under the Law Ministry’s authority.
Personnel Reversion: Judicial officers who were assigned to the secretariat will see their service terms revert to the legal framework that existed prior to the 2025 reforms.
Government Rationale
According to the objectives stated in the bill, the government maintains that the necessity and specific structure of a separate secretariat require further comprehensive scrutiny and consultation with stakeholders. The Law Minister stated that the repeal aims to avoid "administrative complexities" while the government evaluates the best path forward for judicial administration.
To maintain continuity, a legal protection clause was included in the bill. This ensures that all official actions and measures taken while the independent secretariat was active remain legally valid and binding.
Parliamentary Proceedings
The bill was passed via a voice vote in the House. During the session, the Law Minister emphasized that the independence of the Supreme Court remains constitutionally guaranteed. He noted that the jobs, transfers, and postings of judges continue to be protected by the existing constitutional provisions of Bangladesh.
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