On Tuesday, a full six-member bench led by Chief Justice Md Tafazzul Islam, dismissed the two petitions challenging the 2005 High Court ruling that declared the Fifth Amendment illegal. They were dismissed, but “with modifications and observations.” This took place six days after the hearings began on the 19th of January.
Law Minister Shafique Ahmed said that no change will be made to this verdict. He also said that Bangladesh’s original Constitution will now be restored. BNP, the main opposition party in Bangladesh, has been asked to accept the Supreme Court order. The petitions were prompted by BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain and three pro-Jamaat lawyers.
The Fifth Amendment gave constitutional legitimacy to the governments that came in power after the 1975 assassination of the Father of the Nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.