SC verdict on 15th Amendment today

The hearing on the appeals filed following the High Court verdict that declared several parts of the much-debated 15th Amendment to the Constitution, including the abolition of the caretaker government system, illegal ended in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

The final verdict in the appeals will come today. The four-member bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, set the date following the concluding hearing.

Attorney General Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal and Deputy Attorney General Barrister Aneek R Haque represented the state at the hearing. On the other hand, Senior lawyer Dr Sharif Bhuiyan appeared for Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), while Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir represented the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in the case. Senior lawyer Advocate Imran A Siddiq represented the Human Rights Support Society, while Advocate ASM Shahriar Kabir appeared for the other appellant.

The hearing of the case resumed on Monday after about seven months. Dr Sharif Bhuiyan concluded his submissions on Tuesday. The court heard arguments from lawyers from other petitioners on Wednesday.

Earlier on 11 December 2025, a six-member bench of the Appellate Division, headed by the then chief justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed, had adjourned the hearing after holding hearing in the apex court on several other days. 

The 15th Amendment, which was incorporated in 2011, had brought changes to 54 provisions of the Constitution.

BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, five eminent citizens, Shujan Secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, and Freedom Fighter Md Mofazzal Hossain from Naogaon filed writ petitions in August 2024, challenging the legality of the Amendment.

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On 17 December 2024, the High Court had declared some provisions of the 15th Amendment unconstitutional, including those abolishing the caretaker government system, and reinstated the provision for referendum in the Constitution.

However, the HC did not strike down the amendment as a whole. Provisions such as the recognition of the Father of the Nation and the declaration of 26 March were left for parliament to retain in line with public sentiment.

Against this backdrop, the writ petitioners filed separate appeals, seeking full annulment of the 15th Amendment.

However, Dr Sharif Bhuiyan said that if the entire 15th Amendment were repealed, some problems may arise, saying, “The court can provide protection for those issues that create problems. We can say these things in court."

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