"The country is now passing through a grave crisis... This is in part due to interventions by the BNP-Jamaat government in judicial system. The caretaker government should take necessary steps right now to restore the image of our judiciary," columnist Syed Abul Moksud said.

The controversy began with the extension of judges' retirement age, he added.

The Citizens' Rights Movement organised the press conference at the National Press Club in the city to press home their 17-point demand, including resignation of 'controversial' judges, independent judiciary, transparency in appointment of judges of the Supreme Court and an end to political interventions in the appointment of judges.

Advocate Mohsin Rashid, a lawyer of the Supreme Court, said independence of the judiciary does not mean only the separation of the judiciary from the executive. The judges should also change their mindset, he added.

Referring to the anti-corruption drive, he said that 'in-camera trial' might not be acceptable after the end of the tenure of the caretaker government.

He added that 'in-camera trial' is not constitutionally acceptable in the country.

He also stressed the need to check spiralling prices of essentials. "The people suffering financial hardship are not at all interested in anti-corruption drive or trial. They need fertilisers; they need rice and lentil. The caretaker government must address this issue."

Lauding the ongoing drive to stamp out corruption, Tushar Rehman, secretary general of the Citizens' Rights Movement, said the caretaker government should form a Supreme Judicial Council or Council of Elders to exert pressure on 'controversial' judges.

Prof Mesbah Kamal, Vice-president of the organisation Advocate M Shahjahan, former ambassador Mohuiddin Ahmad, Group Captain (retd) Mohammad Alfaz and Major (retd) Hamidul Hossain Tarek Bir Bikram also spoke.