HC asks Asaf-ud-Daula to appear on Aug 19

The High Court (HC) yesterday issued a suo moto rule on former secretary and founder editor of Bangladesh Today Mohammad Asaf-ud-Daula for making 'derogatory' comments about this court.
The court asked him to explain within seven days why punitive action should not be taken against him for contempt of court for making such comments.
An HC bench also directed him to appear before the court on August 19 in this connection.
The HC bench of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and Justice Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain passed the order following a report published in The Daily Samakal on August 7.
The report stated that Asaf-ud-Daula on August 6 at a roundtable organised by Mukti Andolon at National Press Club raised questions about the neutrality of the court.
He reportedly said lawyers still look for neutral courts (bench) in the higher court to move their cases.
He urged the judges not to think of themselves as gods, the report said.
According to the report, Asaf-ud Daula said why it cannot be said when justices take bribes and it is not understandable why it would be a contempt of court if it is said.
He also raised a question why lawyers use black coloured coats and gowns in the country when there are other colours.
Supreme Court lawyer Sheikh Ali Ahmed Khokon yesterday placed the news item before the HC bench, saying that Asaf-ud Daula's derogatory remarks have damaged dignity and integrity of the apex court.
These comments will have an adverse effect on the people when they think of this court and its judges, Khokon said.