High Court Writ Challenges Validity of ‘July National Charter’

Advocate Younus Ali Akand, a prominent Supreme Court lawyer, filed the petition in the public interest today, Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The petitioner seeks a court order declaring the Charter illegal and in conflict with the existing Constitution of Bangladesh. Additionally, the writ requests an immediate stay on the implementation of the Charter's provisions.

The writ names the Cabinet Secretary, Law Secretary, National Consensus Commission, and the Chief Election Commissioner as respondents. Advocate Akand argues that the Charter is inconsistent with the basic structure of the Constitution and cannot be sustained as a legally binding document. A High Court bench led by Justice Razik-Al-Jalil is expected to hear the petition as early as next week.

This legal challenge follows a separate writ filed yesterday by Advocate ABM Ataur Majid Touhid, which challenged the validity of the February 12 referendum and its results. The 'July National Charter' was drafted following the 2024 mass uprising to formalize structural reforms, including the creation of a "Constitutional Reform Council" within the new parliament.