Huda cleared of contempt charge
The High Court today dismissed a contempt of court rule issued against former chief election commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda on the basis of a newspaper report on his alleged comments about politicisation in different sectors.
The exemption came after Huda expressed sincere sorrow and The Daily Star offered unconditional apology before the court through swearing affidavits.
The rule was issued against the former chief election officer on May 18 after the daily published a report headlined 'No rule of Law' which quoted Huda as saying: "All constitutional bodies, including the Election Commission, Public Service Commission, as well as the judiciary have been politicised and incompetent people are getting appointment there".
In its apology published on May 29, the newspaper said it misquoted Huda's statement.
The newspaper said the original comments were made mostly in Bangla, the relevant portion of which is reproduced below:
After exempting the CEC on the basis of the apology, the HC bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice ABM Altaf Hossain today said the media should remain cautious in publishing report so that the image of the judiciary is not hampered.
ATM Shamsul Huda was present before court as per its May 18 order.
Dr Kamal Hossain appeared for Shamsul Huda and Barrister Tanjib Alam argued for The Daily Star.
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