The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the lawyers to strictly follow the guidelines, mentioned in a High Court verdict, regarding holding rallies and processions on the premises of the apex court.
A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique passed the order while hearing a contempt of court petition.
"All are required to strictly follow the High Court's order," said Attorney General AM Amin Uddin, referring to a 2005 verdict prohibiting the use of microphones on court premises and barring processions and gatherings.
However, the Attorney General said, rallies can be held under the roof of the bar, but the microphone cannot be used.
In a verdict in 2005, the HC bench of Justice Abdul Matin and Justice AFM Abdur Rahman issues a guideline in holding rallies at the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, anti-government lawyers, including pro-BNP lawyers, had been holding rallies on the apex court in the last couple of days demanding resignation of two Appellate Division judges who allegedly violated their oath by making political statements while addressing a discussion marking the National Mourning Day on August 15. In this circumstance, a pro-Awami League lawyer filed a contempt petition against seven pro-BNP lawyers. However, the Appellate Division posted the contempt petition on October 19 for hearing.
Attorney General AM Amin Uddin said, "HC in its guidelines barred holding rallies and processions and using microphone in the court area. It is applicable for all courts of Bangladesh. Any act in defiance of this order will constitute contempt of court. The persons concerned shall refrain from all court proceedings until the matter of contempt is resolved."
Justice M Enayetur Rahim, a judge of the Appellate Division, identified the judges as "oath-bound politicians" in the discussion meeting on August 15. The judge also said that "recently fair elections, foreign representatives and ambassadors are being stirred up. ... Voting is not the only democracy."
Justice Md Abu Zafor Siddique, another Appellate Division judge, said in the discussion that "elections are held all over the world, and no one even looks at them. Why are all eyes on Bangladesh centering the elections?"
Terming these speeches 'political' the pro-BNP lawyers were holding rallies in the court premises in the last couple of days and demanded resignation of two Appellate Division judges alleging that they violated their oath by making political statements.
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