Article 7A Sedition by abrogating the Constitution
Offence of abrogation, suspension, etc. of the Constitution
Article 7A threatened the severest punishment for loosely defined acts, including 'subverting confidence' in the Constitution. Its removal matters for free speech and for anyone involved in political change.
The High Court Division declared this article void on 17 December 2024 in the Fifteenth Amendment case, and the Appellate Division dismissed the appeals on 9 July 2026, as reported. bdlaws still prints the text and does not reflect the judgment.
In June 2011 Parliament passed the Fifteenth Amendment. It inserted Article 7A, making it sedition to abrogate or suspend the Constitution by force or unconstitutional means, with the highest punishment under existing law. It came into force when the amendment was gazetted in July 2011.
The article also covered anyone who subverted citizens' confidence in the Constitution, or approved or condoned such acts. Lawyers warned this could reach political speech and criticism, because the article did not define what counted as subverting confidence, and anyone who merely approved such acts could face the same offence.
After the 2024 uprising, writ petitions challenged the Fifteenth Amendment. Political parties joined as interveners. The High Court Division heard arguments on whether Articles 7A and 7B fitted the basic structure, and whether Parliament could make such far-reaching changes without a referendum.
On 17 December 2024 the High Court Division declared Article 7A void. The Appellate Division dismissed the appeals on 9 July 2026, as reported, leaving that ruling in place. The text still appears on bdlaws, but courts treat the provision as void.
In plain English
How Article 7A works
Article 7A was added by the Fifteenth Amendment in 2011. It made it sedition for anyone to abrogate, repeal or suspend the Constitution by force or other unconstitutional means, or to try or conspire to do so. It also covered anyone who undermined citizens' confidence in the Constitution, and anyone who helped, approved, condoned or ratified such acts. The punishment was to be the highest penalty under existing law. Critics said the wording was vague and could be used against political opponents. On 17 December 2024 the High Court Division declared it void, and the Appellate Division dismissed the appeals in July 2026, as reported.
In practice
Article 7A was never the basis of a major reported prosecution, but it was frequently cited in political debate. The High Court Division declared it void on 17 December 2024 together with Article 7B and Article 44(2), and the Appellate Division dismissed the appeals on 9 July 2026, as reported. The July National Charter separately records agreement to repeal Articles 7A and 7B. bdlaws still prints the text with no note of the judgment, so readers should rely on the court rulings for its status.
The text
What Article 7A says
[7A. (1) If any person, by show of force or use of force or by any other un-constitutional means-
(a) abrogates, repeals or suspends or attempts or conspires to abrogate, repeal or suspend this Constitution or any of its article ; or
(b) subverts or attempts or conspires to subvert the confidence, belief or reliance of the citizens to this Constitution or any of its article, his such act shall be sedition and such person shall be guilty of sedition.
(2) If any person-
(a) abets or instigates any act mentioned in clause (1) ; or
(b) approves, condones, supports or ratifies such act, his such act shall also be the same offence.
(3) Any person alleged to have committed the offence mentioned in this article shall be sentenced with the highest punishment prescribed for other offences by the existing laws.
English text as published on the official Laws of Bangladesh website. Where a court has changed the position, the status note above explains it.
Landmark cases
How the courts have read it
High Court Division · 2024
Fifteenth Amendment case (writ petitions of Badiul Alam Majumdar and others, and Md Mofazzal Hossain)
Declared Article 7A, with Articles 7B and 44(2), void as inconsistent with the Constitution; appeals dismissed by the Appellate Division on 9 July 2026, as reported.
Case summaries are short descriptions for orientation, not a substitute for the judgment.
History
Amendments
- Fifteenth Amendment 2011Inserted Article 7A (section 7 of the Amendment Act).
Connected provisions
Related articles
Questions
Article 7A: frequently asked questions
What was Article 7A of the Constitution of Bangladesh?
Article 7A, inserted in 2011, made it sedition to abrogate, repeal or suspend the Constitution by force or unconstitutional means, or to subvert citizens' confidence in it, and set the highest punishment under existing law. It also covered those who abetted or condoned such acts.
Is Article 7A still valid?
No, according to the courts. The High Court Division declared Article 7A void on 17 December 2024, and the Appellate Division dismissed the appeals on 9 July 2026, as reported. The text still appears on bdlaws, which does not reflect the judgment.
Sources
- bdlaws: The Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Article 7A
- Prothom Alo English: Caretaker govt reinstated as some provisions scrapped (17 December 2024)
- Prothom Alo English: SC verdict upholds reinstatement of caretaker govt and referendum provisions (9 July 2026)
- The Daily Star: Groundwork laid for sweeping constitutional reforms (July National Charter supplement)
This guide explains the Constitution for general understanding. It is not legal advice. Constitutional reform proposals under discussion in 2026 are described as proposals until enacted.
Constitutional and writ practice
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