The High Court has issued a rule asking why the Referendum Ordinance, 2025, and the July National Charter (Constitution Amendment) Implementation Order, 2025, should not be declared illegal.
The rule was issued today (3 March) by a High Court bench comprising Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Md Anowarul Islam Shahin.
Earlier, the same bench heard two writ petitions challenging the legality of the recent referendum and the July National Charter introduced by the interim government following last year’s mass uprising.
The petitions were filed as public interest litigation by Supreme Court lawyers Gazi Md Mahbub Alam and Chowdhury Md Redwan E Khuda, seeking judicial review of the Referendum Ordinance, 2025 and the July National Charter (Constitution Amendment) Implementation Order, 2025.
The petitioners argued that the Constitution of Bangladesh does not provide for either a referendum or the July National Charter framework and asked the court to declare the measures illegal and unconstitutional. They also sought an order restraining the authorities from implementing any actions stemming from the Referendum Ordinance.
The July National Charter 2025 was unveiled as a reform package after the July–August 2024 mass movement that led to a political transition. Signed by more than 20 political parties on 17 October last year, the charter proposes 84 reforms, including 47 requiring constitutional amendments.
Among the key proposals are a 10-year cap on the prime minister’s tenure and expanded executive powers for the president, described by supporters as part of a move towards a “Second Republic”. The reforms also aim to strengthen judicial independence, overhaul the electoral system, expand women’s representation, and reinforce fundamental rights protections.
The package was endorsed in a referendum held alongside the parliamentary elections on 12 February, where the “Yes” vote secured victory with a reported turnout of 60.26%.
During the hearing, senior lawyers including Ahsanul Karim, Syed Mamun Mahbub, Jyotirmoy Barua, Gazi Kamrul Islam Sajal, Gazi Touhidul Islam, and Md Nazmus Sakib argued in favour of the petitions.
Mohammod Hossain Lipu and Mohammad Shishir Manir opposed the pleas on behalf of the National Citizen Party and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, respectively.
Acting Attorney General Md Arshadur Rouf and Additional Attorney General Aneek R Haque represented the state.
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