Bangladesh News

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) yesterday demanded punishment of the investigation officer (IO) of the November 30 vandalism at the Supreme Court (SC).

The Bar accused the IO of rushing in to submit the charge sheet against distinguished lawyers of the country to serve the purpose of a ‘vested quarter’.

Sammilito Ainjibi Samannay Parishad will stage demonstrations today at bar associations across the country demanding withdrawal of all charges against the eminent lawyers. It will also hold a meeting of the lawyers at the SCBA hall at 12:00 noon today.

The IO pressed charges against Dr Kamal Hossain, SCBA President barrister Amir-Ul Islam, SC Bar Council Vice President barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud, former SCBA secretary Enayetur Rahim, former SCBA vice president Subrata Chowdhury, barrister Tania Amir, advocates Sheikh Awsafur Rahman, Subrata Saha, Khairuzzaman Tipu, Khasruzzaman, Mamun Mahbub, Suhrawardy, and an outsider — Habibur Rahman.

Inspector Naimur Rahman of Detective Branch (DB), the IO of the case, on Friday submitted the charge sheet following a case filed by barrister Omar Sadat on December 4.

SCBA Secretary AM Amin Uddin yesterday in a statement expressed his grave concern over submitting such a false charge sheet and demanded punishment of the IO.

Demanding withdrawal of the case, he said it was filed to divert the current democratic movement of the lawyers.

Sammilito Ainjibi Samannay Parishad yesterday held a meeting at the SCBA Bhaban presided over by the organisation’s joint convenor and Awami League leader advocate Sahara Khatun. The Parishad blamed the chief adviser, who is in-charge of the home ministry, for bringing the false charges against the lawyers only to harass them.

Bangladesh Awami Ainjibi Parishad urged lawyers all over the country to participate in today’s programme.

Sammilito Samajik Andolon yesterday in a press release condemned the pressing of charges against the lawyers and demanded its withdrawal. President Ajay Roy and Secretary Tabarak Hossain of the organisation said in a press release, “Swift submission of the charge sheet proves how intensely the immediate past government still influences the police administration.”

Barrister Omar Sadat on December 4 filed a case against around 50 to 60 lawyers, naming four, for vandalising the offices of the chief justice, the attorney general, and for disturbing court proceedings on November 30.

The vandalism took place on that day after the chief justice stayed the proceedings of writ petitions challenging the legality of the president’s taking over as chief adviser and his “unilateral” decisions, just minutes before a High Court bench was supposed to issue a ruling on them.