The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The lawyers of the Supreme Court Sunday decided to boycott the court of the Appellate Division on Thursday for two hours in protest against its recent rulings that they think resulted in 'degradation of dignity of the highest judiciary and the rule of law'.

An emergency general meeting of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) held yesterday in its hall-room took the decision. The two-hour court boycott begins at 9am.

The meeting demanded announcement of the parliament election schedule immediately to hold free, fair and impartial polls. It also demanded immediate withdrawal of the state of emergency for establishing democracy and the rule of law.

Expressing disappointments and surprise over the recent three rulings by the apex court, relating to the Emergency Power Rules (EPR), the meeting resolved that the judges of the Appellate Division, "disparaging" the Constitution, fundamental rights and the rule of law, have "virtually infringed their oath of office". The meeting resolved that the Judges of the Appellate Division lost their moral right to hold office as they "could not preserve, protect and defend the constitution".

The recent rulings by the apex court stripped the High Court of jurisdiction to grant bail to any convicted appellant tried under the EPR.

It also struck down a High Court ruling empowering itself with jurisdiction to dispose of bail petitions in criminal cases being tried under the EPR.

And it finally ruled that any case of an offence committed before the promulgation of the state of emergency can be tried under the EPR, clearing the way for case proceedings against high-profile corruption suspects like politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen booked under the ongoing purge in the interim period.

The meeting also demanded withdrawal of cases against the top leaders of the major political parties, as the meeting termed those 'false' and 'motivated'.

The meeting reaffirmed the bar's earlier decision not to give traditional farewell to incumbent Chief Justice M Ruhul Amin when he retires on June 1 and felicitation to new Chief Justice as a mark of silent protest.

The meeting, presided over by SCBA president Shafique Ahmed, was addressed, among others, by Rafique-ul Huq, M Amir-Ul Islam, Mahbubey Alam, Rafiqul Islam Mian, Zainul Abedin, Yusuf Hossain Humayun, Abdul Mannan Khan, M Enayetur Rahim and Nurul Islam Sujan.