Dhaka, Dec 18 (V7N) — Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed has said that the July Revolution was never aimed at abolishing the Constitution, but rather at purifying and strengthening the relationship between the judiciary and the Constitution to ensure accountability and independence.

He made the remarks on Thursday, his last working day in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court ahead of his retirement.

In his farewell speech, the Chief Justice emphasized that as long as judicial values are preserved within a democratic framework, the Supreme Court will remain the ultimate refuge of justice and independence. He stressed that the judiciary must remain faithful to the core principles of the existing Constitution, including the separation of powers, judicial independence, democratic governance, fundamental rights, and the sovereignty of the people.

“The strength of the judiciary does not lie in any individual office,” he said, “but in the collective resolve to administer justice with integrity, courage, and foresight.”

On the occasion of his last working day, the Chief Justice was accorded a farewell reception by the Attorney General’s Office and the Supreme Court Bar Association in the Appellate Division. Judges of the Supreme Court and High Court Division, tribunal judges, senior lawyers, and officials of the Supreme Court Secretariat were present at the event.

Attorney General Asaduzzaman praised Chief Justice Refaat Ahmed for breaking the culture of politically motivated judicial appointments, noting that it was under his leadership that the Supreme Court Secretariat was established, fulfilling the long-standing directive of the landmark Masdar Hossain case.

Supreme Court Bar Association President Mahbub Uddin Khokon said the Chief Justice had disposed of numerous important cases, including major constitutional matters, by performing his duties honestly, efficiently, and with professional integrity.

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, the 25th Chief Justice of Bangladesh, is scheduled to retire on December 27. As he is set to go on vacation leave, Thursday marked his final working day in the Supreme Court.

END/SMA/AJ