Key contenders emerge: Who will be next AG?
Questions are swirling in the Supreme Court and legal circles across the country about who will become Bangladesh’s next Attorney General. Speculation has intensified following announcements that the current Attorney General, Md Asaduzzaman, will contest the upcoming national elections.
Since then, multiple names have emerged as potential successors. A key question remains: will one of the existing Additional Attorneys General be promoted, or will a new appointment be made?
Multiple reliable sources indicate that the government is considering candidates for the next Attorney General. Among the most frequently mentioned are Additional Attorneys General Barrister Arshadur Rahman and Barrister Anik R. Haque. Names of influential lawyers with BNP affiliations are also circulating, including the secretary of the Supreme Court Lawyers’ Association.
Constitutional Provision
According to Article 64(1) of the Constitution, “The President shall appoint as Attorney General of Bangladesh any person qualified to be a Judge of the Supreme Court.” Article 64(4) states that the Attorney General “shall hold office during the pleasure of the President.”
Md Asaduzzaman, the current Attorney General, is reportedly participating in the 13th national parliamentary elections. If he contests, he will have to resign from this critical state post. Consequently, many lawyers are lobbying at the highest levels to be considered for the position.
Senior Supreme Court lawyer Subrata Chowdhury told Jago News, “The current chief legal officer of the state must resign after the election schedule is announced and nomination papers are filed on his behalf. Only then can the President appoint a new Attorney General.”
Profiles of Key Candidates
Barrister Muhammad Arshadur Rahman: A senior Additional Attorney General, well-regarded at the Supreme Court Bar. He is the son of former judge and former Chief Election Commissioner Muhammad Abdur Rouf and has previously served as Acting Attorney General.
Barrister Anik R. Haque: Currently an Additional Attorney General, he played a key legal role for coordinators during the anti-discrimination movement.
Barrister M Badruddoza Badal: Known for his BNP-aligned stance, he is the convener of the Nationalist Lawyers’ Forum, Supreme Court unit, and enjoys popularity across legal factions. He previously served as secretary of the Supreme Court Lawyers’ Association during the Awami League government.
Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajol: A prominent lawyer, he served twice as secretary of the Supreme Court Bar from the BNP panel and is currently chairman of the Bangladesh Bar Council executive committee. He has handled several high-profile constitutional cases.
Muhammad Abdul Jabbar Bhuiyan: Recently appointed as one of three Additional Attorneys General by the President, his appointment was notified by the Ministry of Law on 13 August 2024.
Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun: Known for representing accused in the Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and national four-leader assassination cases, he also served as legal counsel for Dr. Muhammad Yunus, former interim government advisor.
Barrister Salahuddin Dolon: Renowned for handling service-related legal matters, including the reinstatement of 1,137 BCS officers after 17 years. He also represented BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in a symbolic compensation case.
Sharif Bhuiyan: A senior lawyer involved in constitutional petitions against the 13th amendment and the caretaker government system.
BM Ilyas Kochi: A Supreme Court Bar figure with no direct political affiliation, he was involved in organising Supreme Court Lawyers’ Association elections in 2017-18 and handling key cases.
Additionally, Justice Faisal Mahmud Faizi is reportedly under consideration for the Attorney General position.