Bangladesh’s government on Thursday gave up its executive control over the judiciary, ending a practice that dates back to British rule over the Indian subcontinent. “Undoubtedly, it is a historic and momentous day in the history of Bangladesh,” said Fakhruddin Ahmed, the head of the army-backed administration. “After 200 years of colonial rule and some 36 years after the establishment of independent Bangladesh, today the country’s judiciary has been separated from the executive branch, as per directive of the constitution,” he said. “This day will be a milestone in establishing the rule of law and justice.” Under the reform, lower courts will come under the control of the chief justice of the Supreme Court, which will also appoint judicial magistrates to take over the lower courts across the country. The government and its law ministry will also no longer have the power to appoint judges, replace or sack them. “Political governments used to impose their will on the courts,” said Borhanuddin Khan, the dean of Dhaka University’s law faculty.