DHAKA: Jatiya Sangsad (JS) is likely to pass the much-talked-about ‘Constitution (16th amendment) Bill-2014’ on Wednesday to restore its authority of impeaching the Supreme Court judges for misconduct or incapability.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Haque confirmed the matter to banglanews over cell phone on Tuesday.

“I think the bill will be passed on Wednesday”, said the minister adding that it would be passed with no inclusion and exclusion.

Asked whether the bill will certainly be passed on Wednesday, he said, “I can say it will, Inshaallah, be passed.”

Minister Anisul Haque will place the bill before the House with the permission of the Speaker, to be followed by voice votes of the lawmakers to approve it.

A high up at the JS legislative wing also confirmed the matter to banglanews saying, they are passing very busy time and the bill would be passed on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Opposition Jatiya Party and other allies of ruling Awami League extended their support to the bill.

On September 7, the bill placed first before the House, and then it was send to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliament Affairs for scrutinizing.

Committee chairman Suranjit Sengupta placed the report on it on Sunday.

The cabinet nodded the proposal of the bill on August 18.

Article 96 of the 1972 Constitution allowed Parliament to impeach SC judges for proven offenses or incapability by a vote of a two-thirds majority.

In 1978, the then President Ziaur Rahman repealed it and empowered a Supreme Judicial Council through the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution.

According to the existing constitutional provision, the Council comprising the Chief Justice and two other senior most judges of the Appellate Division investigate allegations of misconduct against any judge and recommend necessary steps to the president.

The president then takes steps as per the recommendations.

BDST: 1314 HRS, SEP 16, 2014