2 Jamaat leaders summoned for derogatory remarks

The High Court on Monday summoned acting secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami Rafiqul Islam Khan and another central leader Md Ibrahim for making a 'derogatory and contemptuous' statement about the court.

They will have to appear before an HC bench on September 16 to explain why contempt of court proceeding should not be brought against them for issuing such statement.

The Jamaat leaders on August 1 issued a statement saying that the HC verdict, which declared the Jamaat's registration with the Election Commission illegal, is a reflection of the government will.

The verdict is a political conspiracy against Jamaat, the leaders said in the statement.

The HC on Monday received a copy of the statement from senior Supreme Court lawyer Masood Reza Sobhan.

Later, the vacation bench of the HC of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice ABM Altaf Hossain issued a rule upon the Jamaat leaders asking them to appear before an HC bench which has jurisdiction to deal with contempt of court rule.

Barrister Sobhan told the court that the Jamaat leaders have challenged the authorities and the jurisdiction of the highest court by making this statement.

He prayed to the court to pass necessary orders against them.