The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) denounced the apex court's ruling and reaffirmed its earlier decision not to give traditional farewell to incumbent Chief Justice Md. Ruhul Amin when he retires on June 1 and felicitation to new Chief Justice as a mark of silent protest.

Barrister Rafique-ul Huq, the principal counsel for the two detained former premiers-Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina-likened the SC ruling to "pouring a handful of water for offering to human rights' coffin after the cremation is over."

"Through the ruling, the SC trampled down the rule of law, human rights and fundamental rights as well," he said, adding that he never thought of such "degradation" of the highest judiciary.

"I had a dormant thinking that this time the SC will wake up," he lamented.

Newly elected SCBA President Barrister Shafique Ahmed said the apex-court judgment ignored fundamental rights of the people guaranteed under the Constitution.

"The SC has validated the draconian law EPR which is inconsistent with the fundamental rights of the people guaranteed under the Constitution, the supreme law of the land."

He observed that the SC judgment proved that the dispensation of justice is not functioning in accordance with the rule of law and the Constitution.

The bar leader felt that the international image of Bangladesh would be called in question following the judgment.

Veteran lawyer and twice-elected ex-SCBA President TH Khan said the SC ruling disappointed the people of the country, which won' t bring any good for the country.

He said the hard reality is that the judiciary thrives on confidence of the people; it is very difficult to express in word what fate waits if people's confidence in the judiciary is shaken.

"I'm stupefied after hearing the SC ruling and also afraid how long decades would take to restore people's lost confidence in the judiciary," Khan said.

Former Law Minister Abdul Matin Khasru said the last resort of the people seeking justice before the Supreme Court became shattered.