Constitution of Bangladesh, 1972
Article 48(4), 52, 53, 56, 66, 119(1)(a), 133, 134 & 152
Presidential Election Act, 1991
Section 7
Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004
Section 9
General Clauses Act, 1897
Section 3(50)
The office of the President of the Republic is not an office in the service of the Republic in respect of the Government of Bangladesh–– The question arises as to whether the office of the President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is an office of Profit in the Service of the Republic or not. ––Sole Presidential Candidate Mr. Md. Shahabuddin does not hold any office of profit in the service of the Republic as per the definition provided in Article 152 of the Constitution. Therefore, he is qualified for election to be a member of the Parliament.
In the case of President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Government of Bangladesh cannot appoint President. Removal procedure of the President is also very stringent since he can be removed by impeachment by two thirds majority of the total members of Parliament (Article 52 and 53 of the Constitution). Government cannot remove president at its will since Government may be formed by simple majority of the members of Parliament [article 56 of the Constitution]. So from the point of view of control over the President by the Government, the office of the President can in no way be termed as office of profit in the Service of the Republic in respect of the Government. This position was also recognized in the case Abu Bakkar Siddique Vs. Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed and Others reported in 49 DLR (HCD) page 1. In this case it has been categorically held that the office of the President of the Republic is not an office in the service of the Republic in respect of the Government of Bangladesh. ––This petition is dismissed with a cost of taka 1,00,000/- (one lac). The leave petitioner is directed to deposit cost in the relevant head of the Republic exchequer within 2(two) weeks from the date of receipt of the order. .....Adv. M.A. Aziz Khan =VS= Election Commission, Bangladesh, (Civil), 2024(1) [16 LM (AD) 538] ....View Full Judgment