BNP on Friday termed the High Court verdict that declared the 16th constitutional amendment illegal as they claimed it has boosted people’s confidence in the judiciary. “Yesterday’s (Thursday’s) High Court verdict declaring the 16th constitutional amendment illegal is historical and monumental. The verdict has brightened the image of the judiciary and boosted people’s confidence in it,” UNB said quoting BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he also said that the judgment has raised a hope among the country’s people over getting justice. The High Court on Thursday declared the 16th amendment to the Constitution establishing Parliament's power to remove the Supreme Court judges illegal and contradictory to the national charter. Rizvi, on behalf of BNP, welcomed the verdict saying it is a very significant judgement during the ‘misrule of the current regime’. Justifying their party’s position on not empowering Parliament to remove judges, the BNP leader said it will only help increase huge political influence of the party with majority seats in the House regarding the impeachment of judges. “The same thing will happen, even if the power of removing judges vested in the President as the head of the state is elected by the political party with most seats in parliament.” Under the circumstances, Rizvi said the power of impeaching judges should be vested in the Supreme Judicial Council. Replying to a question, he alleged that the ruling Awami League had brought the 16th amendment to the constitution to fulfill its evil intention to subdue opposition parties and different opinions. The BNP leader also slammed the Law Minister for his comment that the High Court verdict annulling the 16th amendment is unconstitutional, saying the ruling party which usurped power through a voter-less election has brought the amendment only to fulfill their desire in 2014. “So, he (law minister) came up with such a reaction.” He also claimed that the country’s common people have hailed the High Court verdict though Awami League leaders have become aggrieved by it.