SC stays operation of law ministry circular to district judges

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The Supreme Court (SC) took serious note of a law ministry circular requesting district judges across the country not to ask for court rooms, manpower, ejlash of judicial magistrates, transport and other logistic supports following separation of the Judiciary, reports UNB.
Apparently taking the ministry's posture as a non-cooperation ahead of separating the judiciary from the executive control with effect from November 1, the apex court stayed the operation of the circular dated October 24.
The SC, which reopened Sunday after a three-week vacation, issued a suo moto show-cause notice asking the law ministry to explain why the impugned circular "should not be declared inoperative".
The ministry has been April 13 arrested Moudud from his Gulshan residence and reportedly seized 16 bottles of foreign liquors and 32 cans of beer along with 220 pieces of saris of the government relief fund.
However, despite the SC order, Moudud will not be able to get release from incarceration, as he faces corruption charges, court sources said.
Moudud, a stalwart of BNP, is among scores of once-powerful politicians, bureaucrats and business tycoons held during the ongoing drive against crime and corruption.
Barrister Rafique-ul Huq appeared for Moudud, while Attorney General Fida M Kamal stood for the state.