Bangladesh SC issues contempt rule against Janakantha editor, journo

The Supreme Court yesterday issued a contempt of court rule against the editor and the executive editor of Bangla daily Janakantha over an article published on Salauddin Quader Chowdhury's family and a judge.

The daily published the article on July 16 under the headline, “Saka Paribarer Totporota! Palabar Path Kome Gechhe (Lobbying of Salauddin's family! Ways to escape have become reduced), written by its Executive Editor Swadesh Roy.  

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha yesterday issued the suo moto rule after announcing a verdict that upheld the death penalty for Salauddin for his war crimes and genocide.

The apex court ordered the daily's editor and publisher, Atiqullah Khan Masud, and Swadesh Roy to appear before it by 9:00am on August 3 and explain as to why they should not be held in contempt.

The SC also asked Attorney General Mahbubey Alam to provide the court with relevant particulars and information on Gonojagaran Mancha spokesperson Imran H Sarkar in connection with making remarks on the trial of Salauddin when it was a sub judice matter.

While passing the order, the court said there should not be any agitation seeking death penalty for an accused before the court delivers a judgment. 

Spokesperson of the Gonojagaran Mancha had announced continuous demonstrations at Shahbagh, demanding death penalty for war criminals, including Salauddin.

At a press briefing at his office yesterday, Mahbubey Alam told reporters that the article published by the Janakantha damaged the image of the judiciary, questioned its magistracy and created disappointment among the people.

The SC has also asked for the address and relevant information about Imran, as he made some comments about the court and expressed concern over the verdict on Salauddin, he added.