Chief justice concerned over untoward incidents in SC, district courts

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed has expressed deep concern over various untoward incidents that have occurred in courts across the country.

"Many problems have arisen in the country's courts in recent times. The Supreme Court is vigilant to ensure that people can access services from the courts without any impediments," he said in a press release issued by the apex court today (28 November).

"The Supreme Court is striving to provide judicial services despite the challenges," he added.

The chief justice also addressed the incident of lawyers throwing eggs at Justice Ashraful Kamal on 27 November, following alleged derogatory remarks he had made about former president Ziaur Rahman in 2016.

He assured that steps are being taken to prevent such incidents in the future and directed all courts and tribunals in the country to continue their normal activities, ensuring the people's right to justice.

On Wednesday, a group of lawyers entered the courtroom during proceedings and confronted Justice Ashraful Kamal.

They accused him of making biased remarks about former president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman in his observations related to the 16th Amendment case verdict in 2016, when he was a junior judge on a High Court bench.

The lawyers said, "As a judge, you have no right to conduct proceedings if you still hold such biased views."

During the confrontation, one lawyer threw an egg at Justice Kamal, but it struck the desk in front of the judge's seat. Following the incident, Justice Kamal and Justice Kazi Waliul Islam left the courtroom and went to their chambers.

Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon said the chief justice has ordered strict action against those responsible for the egg-pelting incident.

"The chief justice expressed his firm position during our meeting, emphasising that the incident has tarnished the reputation of the judiciary, and such behaviour will not be tolerated under any circumstances," Khokon said.

"The individuals involved will be identified through CCTV footage, and the Supreme Court Registrar General's Office has launched an investigation into the matter," he said, quoting the chief justice.

Khokon also mentioned that the SCBA will form an investigative committee, and if any lawyer is found responsible, their Bar Association memberships may be revoked and their licences cancelled.

There have been several unwarranted incidents in the Supreme Court and various district courts across the country involving lawyers and the general public.

On 26 November, a lawyer was killed during clashes that broke out after supporters of Iskcon Bangladesh leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari blocked a prison van carrying him to jail following the rejection of his bail plea.

Earlier, on 14 August, members of the public, including some lawyers, outside the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court threw eggs at Salman F Rahman, former adviser to recently ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and former law minister Anisul Huq.

Morshed Hossain Shaheen, a relatively unknown lawyer with no party affiliation, has gained prominence as the defence lawyer for the accused in the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in Dhaka.

He appeared as legal counsel for several accused individuals, including ministers and advisers of the ousted Awami League government, who were arrested after 5 August, often when no other lawyers were present in the court.

Recently, Syed Sayedul Haque Suman – widely known as Barrister Suman, who was elected as an MP in the controversial election on 7 January – was assaulted while speaking to journalists after being produced in court.

Additionally, after the remand hearing of former minister and Awami League advisory council member Amir Hossain Amu in a murder case at the capital's New Market Police Station on 7 November, his lawyer Swapan Roy Chowdhury alleged that he was attacked by pro-BNP lawyers.

Such incidents are becoming increasingly common in courtrooms across the country.