HC asks BTRC to remove Tarique's speeches from social media

The courtroom of a High Court division bench witnessed Monday a chaotic scene during hearing of a rule over speeches and video contents of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman.

Two judges of a High Court division bench left the courtroom amid chaos following heated conversations between Awami League and BNP-backed lawyers over the issue.

After leaving the courtroom at 10:55 am, the two judges returned to the courtroom at 2:35 pm. Normal court proceedings began then.

This situation created after the HC directed Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to remove all speeches and video content of Tarique Rahman from social media platforms.

Justice Md. Khasruzzaman and Justice Md Khairul Alam passed the order.

The pro-BNP lawyers started shouting saying that they have submitted a petition to the chief justice expressing no confidence in Justice Md Khasuzzaman and therefore, he cannot deal with the matter.

However, overriding the objections of the pro-BNP lawyers, the HC bench passed its order.

The pro-BNP lawyers were heard in the courtroom shouting "shame, shame". Pro-AL lawyers protested and chaos ensued in the courtroom. At one stage, the judges left the courtroom.

Lawyers Md Qamrul Islam and Sanjida Khanam appeared fort the writ petitioner, while a section of pro-BNP lawyers, including AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Md Bodruddoza Badal, Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal, Kayser Kamal and Gazi Kamrul Islam Sajal, stood for Tarique Rahman during the HC proceedings.

The origin of this case traces back to 2015 when Nasreen Siddiqui Lina, a lawyer of the Supreme Court, filed a petition seeking a ban on Tarique Rahman's videos on social media.

bikashju@gmail.com