The advisory council yesterday approved in principle the draft Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance, 2025, aimed at ensuring full separation of the judiciary from the executive branch of the state.

Once enacted, the ordinance will vest all authority over the transfer, posting, promotion, and discipline of lower court judges, ending the law ministry's control. It will also grant the apex court financial independence, allowing it to manage and utilise its own budget, including development expenditures.

The approval came at yesterday's weekly meeting, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at his Tejgaon office.

The draft ordinance will be presented again to the council for final approval.

Later, while briefing reporters at the Foreign Service Academy, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said that there was a long discussion on the draft of the ordinance.

"Some issues still need further discussion -- especially since the ordinance involves financial aspects, the opinion of the finance adviser is necessary, but it was not taken during the drafting process. Besides, there is also a need to consult with the Ministry of Public Administration."

Asif Nazrul said, "We have been talking about the separation of the judiciary for about 25 to 30 years. Around 2006 there was a good attempt, but it was not possible to make the law."

On November 1, 2007, the Supreme Court cleared the way for the separation of the judiciary from the executive in its judgement in the Masdar Hossain case (Civil Appeal No. 79/1999), upholding article 22 of the constitution.

Draft ordinances previously approved in principle include the Anti-Corruption Commission (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025; the July Uprising Memorial Museum Ordinance, 2025; and the Spatial Planning Ordinance, 2025.

The advisory council also approved a proposal to change the existing practices and procedures in the post-handover management of residential plots or flats developed by the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and various authorities or organisations under it, with the aim of simplifying services and eliminating corruption.

It also approved another proposal to set up Bangladesh's new Consulate General Office in Detroit, Michigan, USA.