A. B. M. Khairul Haque
19th Chief Justice of Bangladesh
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A. B. M. Khairul Haque (born 18 May 1944)[1] is a Bangladeshi jurist,[2] who served as the 19th Chief Justice of Bangladesh and the chairman of Bangladesh Law Commission.[3]
A. B. M. Khairul Haque | |
|---|---|
| 19th Chief Justice of Bangladesh | |
| In office 1 October 2010 – 17 May 2011 | |
| Appointed by | Zillur Rahman |
| President | Zillur Rahman |
| Prime Minister | Sheikh Hasina |
| Preceded by | Mohammad Fazlul Karim |
| Succeeded by | Md. Muzammel Hossain |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 May 1944 |
| Alma mater | University of Dhaka |
| Profession | Former Chairman of Law Commission |
He's known for controversial rulings that shaped Bangladesh's political landscape, including the verdict against the Caretaker Government system.[citation needed]
Career
In June 2008, Justice Khairul Haque and Justice Md Abu Tariq held hearings on suo moto contempt rule against Ekramul Huq and other journalists after a magazine published a report on a High Court judge whitening black money.[4] Justice Khairul Haque and Justice Abu Tariq declared Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2008 illegal due to provision allowing "constructive criticism" of judgement.[5]
Khairul Haque delivered the verdict which declared the Caretaker Government illegal and unconstitutional.[6]
He was made Chairman of Law Commission on 23 June 2013 for a term of three years.[7] He called for trial of Pakistani soldiers for war crimes committed during Bangladesh Liberation War.[8]
On 24 July 2025, Haque was arrested in Dhanmondi, Dhaka.[9] He was accused in the murder case of Abdul Kaiyum, an activist of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party affiliate Jubo Dal.[10] Kaiyum died in protests led by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 18 July 2024.[10] Journalist David Bergman criticized his arrest saying "To use a judicial decision as a pretext for a criminal case—let alone a murder charge to which he has no connection—is also a direct assault on the principle of judicial independence and the rule of law,".[10] Bergman believed Haque was targeted for his 2011 decision that abolished the caretaker government.[10]
He was granted bail in March 2026 in 2 cases and cleared for release from jail.[11]
Leading Judgments
- Abdul Mannan Khan v Government of Bangladesh (declaring caretaker government unconstitutional)[citation needed]
- Siddiq Ahmed v Bangladesh[citation needed]
- Bangladesh Italian Marble Works v Government of Bangladesh[citation needed]