Will start afresh from the ruins: Chief Justice

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed said he would start afresh from the ruins and perform the duties given to him following the revolution by the common people and students.

The newly appointed chief justice spoke at the Appellate Division on Monday after the Attorney General’s Office and the Supreme Court Bar Association congratulated him, reports bdnews24.com.

Before delivering his speech, the chief justice memorialised the martyrs of the mass movement and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.

“I congratulate the students and the people across the country and also those who supported their movement.”

After the fall of the Hasina government in the face of a mass movement, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan and five other judges of the Appellate Division submitted their resignations on Saturday based on the demands of protesters. Justice Refaat of the High Court Division was appointed as the chief justice a few hours later. He took his oath of office the next day.

The students led a ‘new awakening’ against disparity, said Refaat Ahmed. “I’ll perform the duties given to me following the revolution of the people. I’ll start afresh from the ruins.”

“Our aspirations are endless, but time is limited. Even then, I’ll perform my duties with honesty, diligence and skill.”

Until now, fraudulence had persisted instead of honesty and oppression instead of justice, he said, adding ‘wrong’ prevailed instead of ‘right.’

“From now on, any wrongdoing will be dealt with stringently. No deviation will be tolerated,” the chief justice said.

The lower court judges were a very important part of the judiciary, said Refaat Ahmed. He urged all of them to work after overcoming any fear. He also promised to support them always.