- Trending
- Comments
- Latest
Dhaka – A group of lawyers lenient to opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party obstructed the proceedings of an appeal court headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain by creating chaos in the courtroom during the hearing of a bail petition of the party chief.
The lawyers shouted “shame! shame!!” at the judges in the prolonged disorder forcing six judges of the Appellate Division to leave the courtroom.
The court fixed December 12 to hear the petition that sought bail of BNP chief Khaleda Zia, who is now in jail after a trial court found her guilty in corruption, after the state counsel sought more time to produce health report of the defender as sought by the court earlier.
The pro-BNP lawyers wanted that the appeal be heard as a High Court bench earlier rejected the bail petition moved seeking Khaleda’s bail.
The Chief Justice termed unprecedented the chaos made by the lawyers saying “Everything has a limit. I have not seen such a situation in the courtroom before,”
The opposition lenient lawyers continued the shouting even after the judges returned to the courtroom for the second time. The judges had to remain silent for sometime as the disorder was continued.
The Chief Justice also remarked, “This court passes order on the documents and evidence. It does not care what anybody says.”
Earlier, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told the court that the authorities of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University could not prepare the medical reports on Khaleda’s health condition and he pleaded that the court to adjourn the hearing of the appeal till next Thursday.
Defence lawyer Zainul Abedin opposed it. He said Khaleda’s health condition is not good and she is about to die. Abedin requested the court to hear the appeal for bail in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case and grant her bail considering health and human aspect.
As the court fixed a new date for hearing, the lawyers blocked the courtroom doors. They chanted slogans of “We want justice”, “Bail for Khaleda” etc.
On November 14, Khaleda’s lawyers filed the appeal challenging the July 31 High Court order that rejected her bail in the same case.
The BNP accused the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for not producing the report on Khaleda’s health condition while the ruling Awami League condemned the lawyer’s attitude in the courtroom.
Law Minister Anisul Huq said legal action will be taken against those responsible for creating chaos in the courtroom.
The government will not allow anybody to insult or undermine any institution of the country, he added.
newsnextbd.com/n
