The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Magistrate Rokon-Ud-Dowla, who was withdrawn from magistracy and made officer on special duty (OSD), yesterday sought apology to the Chief Justice, the government and all concerned for his audacious remarks severely opposing the separation of judiciary from the executive.

He sought the apology inviting journalists at his chamber at CMM Court in the city a day after he was withdrawn from the magistracy and placed under the Ministry of Establishment as OSD.

Bursting into tears, Rokon-Ud-Dowla, a senior assistant secretary belonging to the Administrative Cadre, mentioned that what he said at a seminar at BIAM auditorium on October 21 was "an outburst of emotion."

"I express my sincere apology to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and all concerned including the government. I hope they will forgive me," he said. "I will remain obedient to the government in future as I was in the past."

His remarks against the separation of judiciary created strong reactions among all concerned. Later, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Mohammad Ruhul Amin withdrew him from the magistracy following a request by the Ministry of Establishment. After his withdrawal, he was made OSD.

Rokon-Ud-Dowla also thanked the Law Adviser for his initiatives for the administration cadre.

"I think the resentment and frustration which were created among the BCS Administration Cadre officials will come to an end through the measures taken by the government and they will become calm and quiet," he said.

He said he had always been in favour of the separation of judiciary. "My appeal was the separation of judiciary upholding the dignity of the magistrates belonging to the administration cadre. Since it was not done, I became disheartened and felt that anomalies between the administration and judicial cadres would continue. I made some undesirable remarks when I tried to express it at the seminar," he said.

'Since the government has perceived the hemorrhage in our heart, it has taken initiatives to resolve the problem,' he said.

Rokon-Ud-Dowla, who became well-known for his anti-adulteration drives, also sat in his court yesterday.

He said he was yet to receive the letter relating to making him OSD. "I will leave after receiving the letter," he said.