BNP voiced frustration and anger on Wednesday over the Supreme Court order staying the High Court's bail to its chairperson Khaleda Zia in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case, reports UNB.
The party also alleged that the Supreme Court full bench passed the stay order after a unilateral hearing from the ACC lawyer, tarnishing the highest court's dignity and tradition.
"The highest court can pass any order. But passing an order after a unilateral hearing is not logical at all. We think it has tarnished the image and tradition of the highest court," said BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmad.
Speaking at a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office, he further said, "We're upset and angry at today's (Wednesday's) order."
Moudud, a BNP standing committee member, said the Supreme Court passed the order hurriedly without giving Khaleda's lawyers any scope to say anything.
"We've got surprised over the highest court's order. The country's people never expected it from the apex court. It's the responsibility of the court to ensure justice in the country."
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged the court's different orders are now reflecting the government's will. "The government has already destroyed all the institutions one after another. They've now overpowered the judiciary and court, the last resort of people."
The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed until Sunday a High Court order granting a four-month interim bail to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.
A four-member Appellate Division bench, headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, passed the order after hearing two petitions filed against the High Court order. The apex court also asked the petitioners to file regular leave-to-appeal petitions by Sunday.
On Monday, the High Court granted a four-month interim bail to Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case in which she was sentenced to five years' imprisonment.
Fakhrul alleged that the government is putting obstacle to signing the power of attorney by their chairperson in jail to appoint her lawyers as part of its move to delay her release from jail.
"Even after granting bail from the High Court, the government is resorting to various tricks to prolong her stay in jail. The most surprising thing is that she is being deprived of her right to sign the power of attorney which is disrupting the legal process as our lawyers can't properly represent her," he said.
The BNP leader also alleged that the government is trying to completely politicise the judiciary so that BNP leaders and activists facing 'false' cases cannot get legal relief and facilities.
