Chief Justice seizes judicial power of Judge Kamrunnahar

Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain has seized the judicial power of Mosammat Kamrunnahar, judge of Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-7 of Dhaka, temporarily for her observation -- to not register rape cases 72 hours after the incident.

The chief justice directed Judge Kamrunnahar not to sit in the courtroom from 9:30am today.

Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain has taken the decision after consulting with the senior judges of the Supreme Court, an SC press release said today.

Besides, the SC has sent a letter to the law ministry at 9:30am asking it to suspend the criminal judicial powers of Judge Kamrunnahar, and to attach her to the ministry, the press release said.

Earlier yesterday, Law Minister Anisul Huq told The Daily Star that the ministry will send a letter to the chief justice for taking appropriate action against Mosammat Kamrunnahar.

"I will not make any comment on the judgement in the Banani Raintree Hotel rape case.  But, the observation made by Judge Mosammat Kamrunnahar is totally unlawful and illegal as there is no time limit in the criminal justice system for recording the case for committing criminal offence," he said.

"I think she (Kamrunnahar) has lost the ability for remaining in the post of judge because of her observation," Anisul Huq, also an eminent criminal law expert, said.

On Thursday, Judge Mosammat Kamrunnahar acquitted five accused in the Banani Raintree Hotel rape case.

In the verdict, the judge recommended the police to not accept rape cases after 72 hours into the incident.