HC dismisses writ seeking investigation into corruption allegations against judges

The High Court has dismissed a writ petition that sought an investigation into allegations of corruption and disproportionate wealth of 51 lower court judges and judicial officials across the country.

The High Court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury issued the ruling today (10 December). 

The court noted that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) report, which was reportedly formed based on newspaper articles alleging judicial corruption, could not be verified. 

The state counsel confirmed that no such investigative report exists. 

The court also said without absolute certainty, filing such a writ against judges is not appropriate.

Advocate Amimul Ehsan Jobayer argued in favour of the writ petition, while Additional Attorney General Arshadur Rouf represented the state during the hearing.

Earlier, a report titled "Unbelievable Wealth of over 50 Judges and Officials" was published in a national daily on 14 October which was attached to the writ petition by Jobayer.

According to the report, the ACC received evidence of an incredible amount of wealth owned by 51 judges and officials of the judiciary. Many of them have illegally acquired hundreds of crores of taka.

The report said many of these judges and officials have luxurious flats in the country and abroad. Some even have bought houses in Canada's "Begumpara" while several have acquired ownership of hundreds of bighas of land.

The ACC has also gathered information about their undeclared assets, both in their names and anonymously.