Opposition BNP slams ministers for chief justice comments

Main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) yesterday termed ‘extremely audacious and political hooliganism’ the comments of two ministers about Chief Justice SK Sinha.
“The way Food Minister Qamrul Islam and Liberation War Affairs Minister Mozammel Haque asked the chief justice to quit is a blatant interference in the judiciary. The comments have once again proved that the one-party Baksal of 1975 has been revived with its all aggressive manners,” said BNP joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
He also said the two ministers’ comments are tantamount to contempt of court. “Their remarks demonstrated Feni’s Hazari culture.”
Joynal Hazari, a former Awami League leader, had set up his own court in Feni district town and used to punish his enemies in the way he liked.
Yesterday, the two ministers at a discussion criticised the Chief Justice for his reported remarks that “the prosecution is doing politics with the trial of condemned war criminal and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mir
Quasem Ali.”
Earlier, during the hearing of arguments on Ali’s death row review petition on February 23, the chief justice purportedly expressed dissatisfaction over the activities of the prosecution and the investigation agency.
Strongly condemning the comments, Rizvi alleged that having failed to establish its full control over the judiciary the ruling party ministers are resorting to threat and
intimidation.
The BNP leader said the ‘current regime which has no mandate’ is trying to run the country’s all institutions and organs as per its will.
“They (government) are out to remove the independent identity of the state organs like the legislative, the executive and the judiciary to give those Awami colour.
“The current illegal regime has crossed its limit on the way of its march towards one-party rule through the two ministers’ remarks about the chief
justice.”
Rizvi also denounced the baton charge by police on ticket seekers for enjoying the Asia Cup 2016 final match between Bangladesh and India at
Mirpur.
At least 50 people were injured as ticket-seekers locked in a clash with police in Mirpur on Saturday. The clash broke out over a rumour that all tickets for the Asia Cup final were sold out.