Dhaka: Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha went on a one-month leave from Monday on health grounds, Law Minister Anisul Huq said.

‘The Chief Justice went on the leave from today (Monday) due to his illness and he sent a letter to the President informing him about the leave. The Chief Justice himself grants his leave,’ the minister said over telephone.

He further said, ‘As he (CJ) gave intimation about the leave, we have to appoint the acting Chief Justice and the President will appoint the acting Chief Justice as per section 97 of the Constitution.’

The regular activities of the Supreme Court will begin on Tuesday after a one-month vacation and the Chief Justice went on the leave on the last day of the long vacation, which began on August 27.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said Chief Justice SK Sinha went on the leave for a month on health grounds and now senior-most judge of the Appellate Division Justice Abdul Wahhab Miah will serve as the acting Chief Justice. ‘President Abdul Hamid will appoint him and he’ll perform his duty until the Chief Justice joins his office.’

SK Sinha assumed office on January 17, 2015 as the country’s 21st Chief Justice. He will go on retirement on January 31 next.

The Chief Justice was widely criticised by the ministers and the ruling party leaders for his observations made in the verdict that had annulled the 16th amendment to the Constitution.