Sculpture being removed from SC premises

The sculpture of "Greek Goddess Themis" is being removed from the Supreme Court premises in Dhaka. Labourers started removing the statue around 11:55pm tonight in presence of law enforcers.

Members of the law enforcing agencies surrounded the area since 11:30pm. However, under which authorities the work is going on could not be known immediately.

READ ALSO: Writ seeks removal of Greek goddess from SC premises

Sculptor Mrinal Haque, who erected the statue, was also inside the premises. Later, he talked to media with tearful eyes saying that he was asked to remove the statue.

He also said that he was under pressure, but did not name the people or authorities that had put pressure on him.

"I've come here to ensure that the work is not ruined," said Mrinal.

“The chief justice has called a meeting with the incumbent and former president and general secretary of Supreme Court Bar Association including eminent jurist Dr Kamal Hossain seeking their opinion of removal of the sculpture. They opined that the sculpture should be removed to avert any untoward situation,” Mahbubey Alam, Attorney General, told The Daily Star.

Meanwhile, a group of protesters numbering around 20 reached the locked gate and were shouting slogans against the removal of the statue.

Earlier on April 8, a writ was filed with the High Court seeking removal of the statue from the Supreme Court premises.

READ ALSO: Such statue shouldn't be here: PM

In the petition, the court was urged to issue a rule asking the government to explain as to why directives should not be given to remove the statue from SC premises.

Secretaries to Religious Affairs Ministry, Law Ministry, Public Works Ministry, Supreme Court registrar general and registrar, chief engineer and executive engineer of Public Works Department and secretary of Supreme Court Lawyers Association were made respondents to the rule.

According to the writ petition, the installation of a statue in front of the Supreme Court is contradictory to articles 12 and 23 of the Constitution. It also hurts the religious sentiment of the people as 95 percent people of the total population are Muslims.

The statue of Greek goddess was set up on the Supreme Court premises in December last.