Supreme Court of Bangladesh in 2025: A Year of Landmark Judgments
The year 2025 marked a turning point in Bangladesh’s judicial history. Both the Appellate Division and the High Court Division of the Supreme Court delivered a series of landmark verdicts that reshaped constitutional governance, redefined judicial independence, and resolved some of the country’s most politically and socially sensitive cases.
This year-in-review highlights the most significant judgments of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh in 2025, covering constitutional, political, and individual cases that dominated public discourse throughout the year.
1. Restoration of the Caretaker Government System (Appellate Division)
In a historic judgment delivered on 20 November 2025, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court restored the non-partisan caretaker government system by declaring earlier rulings that abolished it legally flawed. A seven-judge full bench, led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, upheld the Thirteenth Amendment of the Constitution of Bangladesh as constitutionally valid and ruled that the caretaker system would automatically return to the Constitution.
However, the court clarified that the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election would be held under an interim government, with the caretaker system becoming fully operational from the 14th Parliament onward.
Case Information: Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar & Others vs. Abdul Mannan Khan & Others; (Civil Appeal No. 112 of 2025, appeal allowed; with C.R.P. 282, 313/24, C.R.P. 248/25, all disposed of)
2. Amendment of Article 116 of the Constitution Declared Unconstitutional
In a major decision reinforcing judicial independence, the High Court Division on 2nd September 2025 struck down amendments to Article 116 of the Constitution, which governed the control and discipline of subordinate court judges. The bench, comprising Mr. Justice Ahmed Sohel and Mr. Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury, ruled that the amendments were unconstitutional and restored the original 1972 constitutional framework, returning full administrative and disciplinary authority over lower court judges to the Supreme Court. The court also directed the establishment of a separate judicial secretariat within three months.
Notably, the President of Bangladesh promulgated the “Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance, 2025“, and the Supreme Court Secretariat officially started its journey from 11th December, 2025.
Case Information: Mohammad Saddam Hossen & Others vs. The Government of Bangladesh; (WP No. 10356 of 2025, rule absolute)
3. Affirming the Legal Basis of the Interim Government (Appellate Division)
In another constitutionally significant ruling, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on 4th December 2025 affirmed the legality of the interim government by rejecting a challenge to the Supreme Court’s advisory opinion issued under Article 106 of the Constitution. The verdict arose from a leave-to-appeal petition filed against a High Court order that had summarily rejected a writ petition questioning the constitutional validity of the interim government’s formation. The petitioner argued that the Constitution does not expressly provide for an interim government and that the President’s reference to the Supreme Court, as well as the Court’s advisory opinion, lacked constitutional authority. The Appellate Division, however, found no merit in the challenge and upheld the High Court’s reasoning. The court reaffirmed that under Article 106, the President is constitutionally empowered to seek the Supreme Court’s advisory opinion on questions of law of public importance, particularly in situations of extraordinary constitutional vacuum.
Case Information: Muhammad Mohsen Rashid vs. Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs & others; Civil Petition for Leave to Appeal No. 781 of 2025 (dismissed with observations)
4. Begum Khaleda Zia Acquitted in Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust Case (Appellate Division)
One of the most politically consequential rulings of the year came on 15 January 2025, when the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court acquitted BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. A five-judge bench unanimously overturned the convictions handed down by the trial court and upheld by the High Court, declaring the proceedings to be “an abuse of legal process”. The court also ruled that the judgment would apply to all accused, including those who had not appealed.
Subsequently, on 3rd March, 2025, the Appellate Division also upheld Khaleda Zia’s acquittal in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case, dismissing state appeals seeking to revive the conviction. With this decision, Khaleda Zia stood cleared of both major corruption cases that had dominated Bangladesh’s political discourse for over a decade.
Case Information:
Zia Orphanage Trust Case: Khaleda Zia & Others vs. Durniti Daman Commission & Others (Criminal Appeal No. 64/2024 with Criminal Appeal Nos. 63, 42, and 39 of 2024, all appeals allowed)
Zia Charitable Trust Case: State vs. Khaleda Zia & Others; (Criminal Petition for Leave to Appeal 345 of 2025 With Crl. Petition for Leave to Appeal Nos. 569, 677 of 25, all dismissed)
5. August 21 Grenade Attack Case (Appellate Division)
On 4 September 2025, the Appellate Division upheld a High Court ruling that acquitted all accused in the 21 August 2004 grenade attack case, including BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and former state minister Lutfuzzaman Babar. The court dismissed the state’s appeal and removed the High Court’s earlier observation on reinvestigation, stating that any fresh probe would be a matter for the government.
Case Information: State vs. Mawlana Sheikh Abdus Salam & Others; Criminal Appeal No. 65 of 2025 (Dismissed with observations, expunction and modification) with Crl.P. 2380-99 of 2025, Crl.P.673 and 2400-27 of 2025 (disposed of in the light of judgment delivered in Criminal Appeal No.65 of 2025)
6. ATM Azharul Islam Acquitted in Crimes against Humanity Case (Appellate Division)
In a groundbreaking ruling on 27 May 2025, the Appellate Division acquitted Jamaat leader ATM Azharul Islam, overturning his death sentence for crimes against humanity imposed by the International Crimes Tribunal. A seven-judge full bench unanimously accepted his appeal and ordered his immediate release, making it the first death sentence passed by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) overturned at the appellate level. The verdict set a historic precedent in the jurisprudence of International Criminal Law in Bangladesh.
Case Information: A T M Azharul Islam vs. Chief Prosecutor, International Crimes Tribunal; Criminal Appeal No. 38 of 2025, (appeal allowed).
7. Jamaat-e-Islami Regains Political Registration (Appellate Division)
On 1 June 2025, the Appellate Division overturned a High Court ruling that had declared Jamaat-e-Islami’s registration as a political party illegal. A four-member bench led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed directed the Election Commission to resolve all pending issues related to Jamaat’s registration and electoral symbol. As a result, Jamaat-e-Islami regained its legal status and its traditional symbol, Daripalla (i.e., the Scales).
Case Information: Bangladesh Jamaate-e Islami and anr. vs. Maulana Syed Rezaul Haque Chadpury and ors; Civil Appeal No. 139 of 2013 (appeal allowed) with Civil Petition for Leave to Appeal No. 3112 of 13 (Appl. for direction), disposed of in light of the judgment of Civil Appeal.
8. Abrar Fahad Murder Case: Death Sentences Upheld (High Court Division)
On 16 March 2025, the High Court Division bench comprising Mr. Justice Md. Asaduzzaman and Mr. Justice Syed Enayet Hossain upheld the death penalty for 20 accused and life imprisonment for five others in the murder of BUET student Abrar Fahad. The court confirmed the trial court’s verdict, calling the killing a premeditated and brutal act. Appeals are currently pending before the Appellate Division.
Case Information: The State Vs. Mehedi Hasan Rasel and Others; Death Reference No. 01 of 2022 (Death Reference Confirmed) with 40 Appeals (all appeals dismissed)
9. Judicial Oversight Over Electoral Boundary Delimitation (Appellate Division)
On 10 December 2025, the Appellate Division delivered a landmark verdict in the electoral boundary delimitation case, upholding a High Court ruling that invalidated an Election Commission gazette altering parliamentary constituencies ahead of the 2026 general election. The gazette had reduced Bagerhat’s parliamentary seats from four to three while creating a new constituency in Gazipur, a move the courts found to be constitutionally unsound. The Appellate Division held that the Election Commission’s redrawing of boundaries lacked demographic justification and failed to comply with constitutional principles of equal representation. As a result, Bagerhat’s four constituencies were reinstated, and Gazipur’s existing five seats were preserved. Significantly, the verdict marked the first time in Bangladesh’s judicial history that courts exercised substantive judicial review over constituency delimitation, affirming that such decisions are not immune from scrutiny when transparency, population parity, and electoral fairness are at stake.
Case Information: Bangladesh Election Commission vs. Bagerhat Press Club, Civil Misc. Petition No.
934 of 2025, with C.P. 4676 of 2025, with C.M.P. 930 and 966 of 2025, C.P. 4739 of 2025 (appeals dismissed)
10. Digitalisation of Marriage and Divorce Registration (High Court Division)
On 11 December 2025, the High Court Division bench, comprising Madam Justice Fahmida Quader and Mr. Justice Ashif Hasan, directed the government to fully digitalise marriage and divorce registration, ensuring nationwide access through a central online system. The court ruled that digital registration was essential to prevent fraud, protect women’s rights, and modernise civil administration.
Case Information: Aid for Men vs. Bangladesh & Others, WP No. 2917 of 2021 (disposed of)
Chronological Timeline
Major Supreme Court Judgments in Bangladesh (2025)
January 15, 2025
Khaleda Zia & Tarique Rahman Acquitted
The Appellate Division acquits BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case, overturning convictions by the trial court and High Court Division.
March 3, 2025
Khaleda Zia Acquitted
The Appellate Division acquits BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case, dismissing state appeals seeking to revive the conviction of the trial court, which was acquitted by the High Court Division on appeal.
March 16, 2025
Abrar Fahad Murder Case Verdict Upheld
The High Court upholds death sentences for 20 accused and life imprisonment for five others in the murder of BUET student Abrar Fahad.
May 27, 2025
ATM Azharul Islam Acquitted
The Appellate Division acquits Jamaat leader ATM Azharul Islam, overturning his death sentence in a crimes against humanity case: a first in Bangladesh’s war crimes jurisprudence.
June 1, 2025
Jamaat-e-Islami Regains Registration
The Appellate Division restores Jamaat-e-Islami’s registration as a political party and directs the Election Commission to resolve pending issues.
September 2, 2025
Judicial Control Restored to Supreme Court
The High Court strikes down amendments to Article 116 of the Constitution, restoring full control over subordinate judiciary appointments, transfers, and discipline to the Supreme Court.
September 4, 2025
August 21 Grenade Attack Case Closed
The Appellate Division upholds the High Court’s acquittal of all accused, including Tarique Rahman, in the 2004 August 21 grenade attack case.
November 20, 2025
Caretaker Government System Restored
A seven-judge Appellate Division bench restores the non-partisan caretaker government system to the Constitution, to take effect from the 14th parliamentary election.
December 4, 2025
Interim Government’s Legal Basis Affirmed
The Appellate Division rejects a challenge to the Supreme Court’s advisory opinion under Article 106, confirming the constitutional validity of the interim government.
December 10, 2025
Bagerhat Parliamentary Seats Reinstated
The Appellate Division upholds a High Court ruling restoring four parliamentary constituencies in Bagerhat, declaring the Election Commission’s earlier gazette unlawful.
December 11, 2025
Marriage & Divorce Registration to Go Digital
The High Court directs the government to fully digitalise marriage and divorce registration nationwide to prevent fraud and protect citizens’ rights.
Disclaimer: This brief is for general awareness and academic purposes only, and it does not, and is not intended to, constitute or to be construed as legal advice. You are advised to obtain advice from an Advocate with respect to any particular legal matter.