Another HC bench the same day directed the government not to arrest or harass some 11 lawyer-petitioners for three months without any due legal process.

The HC division bench passed the bail order when the seven lawyers surrendered before it with bail prayers.

They are Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President barrister Amir-Ul Islam, Bangladesh Bar Council Vice-chairman barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud, former SCBA secretary Enayetur Rahim, advocate Subrata Chowdhury, Awsafur Rahman, Khashruzzaman and Subrata Saha.

The bench also issued rule on the government to explain why the petitioners should not be granted regular bail.

Barrister Rafique-ul Haq, Dr M Zahir, Mahmudul Islam, barrister Shafiq Ahmed, barrister Azmalul Hossain and Abdul Baset Majumder appeared for the petitioners.

Barrister Omar Sadat and SC authorities brought the sedition charges separately against around 200 lawyers for the November 30 vandalism on the Supreme Court premises.

Dr Kamal Hossain and barrister Tania Amir, who are also among the 200 lawyers, will seek bail after returning from abroad, sources said.

The vandalism took place following the stay orders by the chief justice upon public interest writ petitions minutes before giving a rule by a High Court division bench.

Leaders of Awami League-led 14-party combine and some other parties filed the writ petitions challenging the legality of the president's assuming the office of the chief adviser to the caretaker government.

The other HC bench directive against the harassment came following a writ petition challenging recent police raids on the residences and chambers of the lawyer-petitioners and attempt to arrest and harass them without following the due legal process.

The 11 lawyer-petitioners concerned are Biswajit Roy, Mosfaqur Rahman Sobuj, M Masud Alam Chowdhury, Syed Mamun Mahbub, SM Zafar Sadeque, Nizamul Huq Nizam, M Khairul Alam, ARM Hasanuzzaman Uzzal, SM Fazlul Haque, Mohammad Ali Jinnah and M Abdul Matin.

Police started raiding the homes and chambers of some lawyers on suspicion of their involvement in the November 30 vandalism on the Supreme Court premises.

The bench also issued a rule on the government to explain why it should not be restrained from interfering in the privacy and sanctity of the homes and chambers of the petitioners without any order of the court.

Barrister Rafique-ul Huq, Mahmudul Islam, Mahbubey Alam, Abdul Matin Khasru, Obaidur Rahman Shaheen and M Enayetur Rahim appeared for the petitioners.

Meanwhile, security on the SC premises was strengthened yesterday to avert any untoward incident.