A. B. M. Khairul Haque
A. B. M. Khairul Haque | |
|---|---|
এ. বি. এম. খায়রুল হক | |
| 19th Chief Justice of Bangladesh | |
| In office 1 October 2010 – 17 May 2011 | |
| Appointed by | Zillur Rahman |
| Prime Minister | Sheikh Hasina |
| Preceded by | Mohammad Fazlul Karim |
| Succeeded by | Md. Muzammel Hossain |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 May 1944 |
| Education | University of Dhaka |
A. B. M. Khairul Haque (born 18 May 1944)[1] is a Bangladeshi jurist,[2] who served as the 19th Chief Justice of Bangladesh and the chairman of Bangladesh Law Commission.[3]
Career
In June 2008, Khairul Haque and Justice Md Abu Tariq held hearings on suo moto contempt rule against Ekramul Huq and other journalists after a magazine published a report on a High Court judge whitening black money.[4] Justice Khairul Haque and Justice Abu Tariq declared Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2008 illegal due to provision allowing "constructive criticism" of judgement.[5]
Haque delivered the verdict which declared the Caretaker Government illegal and unconstitutional.[6]
Haque was made Chairman of Law Commission on 23 June 2013 for a term of three years.[7] He called for trial of Pakistani soldiers for war crimes committed during Bangladesh Liberation War.[8]
On 24 July 2025, Haque was arrested in Dhanmondi, Dhaka.[9] He was accused in the murder case of Abdul Kaiyum, an activist of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party affiliate Jubo Dal.[10] Kaiyum died in protests led by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 18 July 2024.[10] Journalist David Bergman criticized his arrest saying "To use a judicial decision as a pretext for a criminal case—let alone a murder charge to which he has no connection—is also a direct assault on the principle of judicial independence and the rule of law."[10] Bergman believed Haque was targeted for his 2011 decision that abolished the caretaker government.[10]
Haque was granted bail in March 2026 in 2 cases and cleared for release from jail.[11] On 17 August, an Appellate Division's chamber judge upheld a High Court order granting Haque ad-interim bail and he was then released from Keraniganj Central Jail the day after.[12]
Leading Judgments
- Abdul Mannan Khan v Government of Bangladesh (declaring caretaker government unconstitutional)
- Siddiq Ahmed v Bangladesh
- Bangladesh Italian Marble Works v Government of Bangladesh
References
- ↑ "Law Commission". lc.gov.bd. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
- ↑ "BNP leader Moudud Ahmed accuses former chief justice Khairul Haque of betraying country". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
- ↑ "Law Commission chairman feels Bangladesh laws not used well". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
- ↑ "Court exempts 13 journalists from personal appearance". The Daily Star. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
- ↑ "HC declares new ordinance invalid". The Daily Star. 25 July 2008. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
- ↑ "Ex CJ Khairul Haque reappointed as law commission chair". The Daily Star. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
- ↑ "Khairul Haque reappointed Law Commission chairman for another three years". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
- ↑ "ABM Khairul Haque demands trial of Pakistani war criminals". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
- ↑ "Former chief justice Khairul Haque arrested in Dhaka". Dhaka Tribune. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 "Ex-CJ Khairul's detention example of extreme politicisation that's overwhelming justice system: David Bergman". The Business Standard. 26 July 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
- ↑ "Ex-CJ Khairul Haque secures bail in ACC case, cleared for release from jail".
- ↑ "Ex-CJ Khairul Haque released on bail". The Daily Star. 20 August 2026. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
