Pro-BNP lawyers stage demo for fresh SCBA polls

Pro-BNP lawyers staged demonstrations on the Supreme Court premises yesterday demanding a date be set for holding fresh elections to the Supreme Court Bar Association under an acceptable election conducting sub-committee.

Around 300 lawyers under the banner of Bangladesh Jatiyotabadi Ainjibi Forum (BJAF) gathered at the SCBA office around 12:30pm and brought out a procession. They chanted slogans against the police attack on lawyers during the SCBA election on March 15, said witnesses.

The procession, led by BJAF President AJ Mohammad Ali and Secretary General Kayser Kamal, marched towards the Kadam Foara near the Jatiya Press Club. The lawyers staged a sit-in there for around 15 minutes.

SCBA president candidate AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon and secretary candidate Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal, BJAF leaders Gazi Kamrul Islam Sajal and Masud Ahmed Talukder, among others, joined the protest.

They also demanded resignation of Law Minister Anisul Huq and Attorney General AM Amin Uddin alleging that the minister and attorney general instructed the law enforcers to assault the lawyers.

The pro-BNP lawyers said their movement would continue until their demands are met. A number of pro-BNP lawyers from Dhaka Bar Association took part in the demonstration.

Meanwhile, in an apparent counter move, some Awami League-backed lawyers held a "peace meeting" in front of the SCBA president's office room yesterday protesting "snatching of ballots and vandalising of furniture by pro-BNP lawyers" on the SCBA premises during the March 15 election.

They also brought out a procession and formed a human chain there protesting "the anarchy created by pro-BNP lawyers and outsiders".

Newly elected SCBA Secretary Abdun Nur Dulal, Vice President Jasmine Sultana, Assistant Secretary Noor-A-Alam Uzzal and Dhaka City AL Law Affairs Secretary Mohammad Zaglul Kabir spoke on the occasion.

In the election, pro-AL lawyers won all 14 SCBA posts, including president and secretary.

PRO-BNP LAWYERS SECURE BAIL

Yesterday, the High Court granted anticipatory bail to 13 pro-BNP lawyers, including Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Ruhul Quddus Kazal, in three cases.

They were granted anticipatory bail for eight weeks, or until submission of police reports in the cases, whichever is earlier.

The HC bench of Justice Md Salim and Justice Md Bazlur Rahman passed the orders following three petitions filed by the accused seeking anticipatory bail.

The petitioners appeared before the HC bench during the hearing.

The cases were filed on charges of snatching ballots of SCBA election, preventing police from discharging duties, and carrying out vandalism during the March 15-16 polls.

SCBA election conducting sub-committee, its administration and police lodged the cases with Shahbagh Police Station on the same dates.

Senior lawyers AJ Mohammad Ali and Zainul Abedin argued for the accused.