Govt wants to destroy judiciary: BNP leader Zainul Abedin

BNP leader and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Advocate Zainul Abedin today alleged that the government wants to destroy the judiciary by threatening the judges.

“The incumbent government wants to damage the democracy, judiciary and country, as the judiciary does not give verdict in support of their misdeeds. Don’t threaten the judges in this manner [through moving their income tax files]. Please, dissolve the parliament, step down from the office and hold the election,” he said pointing to the government.

Zainul Abedin made the allegations while presiding over a meeting in Dhaka in protest against the “adverse” comments made by Law Commission Chairman and former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque, former Appellate Division judge Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik and the ministers about the Supreme Court verdict in the case on the 16th amendment of the constitution.

Pro-BNP lawyers’ body -- Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum (JAF) -- organised the meeting at the south hall of the SCBA office building in Dhaka where SCBA Secretary and JAF Secretary General Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, among others, spoke. 

Advocate Zainul, also the president of JAF’s SC unit, said it is very difficult to protect the judiciary when a government tries to damage it.

The people and lawyers of the country have to get united in order to protect the rule of law, democracy and judiciary, he said, adding that the judges are being pressurised through moving their income tax files. 

The SCBA president requested Justice Manik to stop making “adverse” comments about the apex court and its judges.