Attorney general misled the court: Khandker Mahbub

BNP Vice Chairman Advocate Khandker Mahbub Hossain yesterday blamed Attorney General Mahbubey Alam for misleading the Supreme Court over hearing a bail petition of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in a corruption case, and not placing her medical report before the apex court.

“Khaleda Zia’s medical report reached the attorney general’s office on time following the Supreme Court order, but he has not submitted the report to the court -- claiming that it did not reach him. We feel this is a contempt of court,” said the veteran lawyer.

He was speaking at a meeting organised by Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum (JAF), a body of pro-BNP lawyers, at the Supreme Court Bar Association premises, demanding release of Khaleda Zia from jail.

Khandker Mahbub, also convener of JAF and a counsel for Khaleda, told the meeting, “We feel that the attorney general has misled the highest court of the country. If he (AG) would have taken the right steps on that day (December 5), such a situation would not have arisen,” he said.

On December 5, a group of pro-BNP lawyers created chaos at the SC during the hearing of Khaleda Zia’s bail appeal in Zia Charitable Trust corruption case -- forcing the chief justice and five other judges to leave the courtroom.  

The lawyers shouted at the apex court judges, “shame, shame”, “we want justice”, “Khaleda Zia has the right to get bail”.  The pandemonium hampered judicial proceedings for more than an hour.     

Yesterday, Advocate Khandker Mahbub said their gathering was a protest against the conspiracy of attorney general, not to create any pressure on the court.  

BNP leaders Advocate Zainul Abedin and Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, among others, spoke at the meeting.  

Meanwhile, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam refuted the allegation, saying Khandker Mahbub Hossain was lying.  

“The vice chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) told me they need time to prepare the medical report on Khaleda Zia’s condition. I just informed the Supreme Court of that,” he told The Daily Star.

He said the medical report will reach the SC through its registrar general’s office, as the court has not asked BSMMU to send the medical report to it through the attorney general’s office.

“I have heard the Supreme Court’s December 5 order seeking medical reports on Khaleda Zia’s health has reached Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. I hope that the medical report will be submitted to the Supreme Court by December 11 and the hearing on Khaleda Zia’s bail petition will be held on December 12,” the attorney general said.