Syed Refaat Ahmed takes oath as CJ
President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Sunday administered the oath of office to Syed Refaat Ahmed making him the 25th Chief Justice of Bangladesh.
The ceremony was held at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban.
Chief Adviser to the Interim Government Nobel Laureate Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus witnessed the ceremony.
Advisers to the interim government, judges, chiefs of the three services, attorney general, and Supreme Court lawyers, including SC Bar Association leaders, among others, were present at the oath-taking ceremony. Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain conducted the function.
Earlier on Saturday evening, the Ministry of Law issued a notification regarding appointment of Syed Refaat Ahmed.
Chief Justice Obaidul Hasan resigned following demands from the anti-discrimination student movement on Saturday. Additionally, five other judges of the Appellate Division also tendered their resignations.
By order of the President, Law and Justice Department Secretary Golam Sarwar signed the notification, stating that Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed has been appointed as the Chief Justice of Bangladesh under the authority granted by Article 95(1) of the Constitution. His appointment will take effect upon his swearing-in.
Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed is the son of former caretaker government adviser and late senior advocate of the Supreme Court Barrister Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed and the late National Professor Sufia Ahmed.
Justice Ahmed earned his degree in law from Dhaka University. He then obtained his BA and MA degrees in the UK and later earned his PhD from the United States. Born on December 28, 1958, Justice Ahmed began his legal career by joining the District Court in 1984, followed by the High Court in 1986, and the Appellate Division in 2002.
On April 27, 2003, he was appointed as an additional judge in the High Court Division, and two years later, on April 27, 2005, he became a permanent judge in the High Court Division. Justice Ahmed has traveled extensively, visiting countries such as the USA, UK, Brazil, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, India, Pakistan, UAE, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
