The High Court (HC) on Monday (May 26) dismissed a writ petition challenging the legality of six recommendations put forward by the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission.

The bench, comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi, delivered the order this morning.

The petition, filed by lawyer Rawshan Ali, named the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the Chairperson of the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission as respondents.

In the petition, the applicant argued that several recommendations included in the recently published commission report—specifically those in chapters 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, and 12—allegedly contradict Islamic Sharia law, hurt religious sentiments, and are inconsistent with the Constitution of Bangladesh.

Citing national sensitivity and public concern, the petitioner had sought a High Court ruling declaring the recommendations illegal and void. 

The petition also called for the formation of a new expert committee to oversee future reforms and requested a stay order on implementing the contentious proposals.

SMS/