ICT order on contempt trial of Zafrullah July 12

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 yesterday fixed July 12 for passing an order on a petition filed for initiating contempt of court proceedings against Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury for his comments over the tribunal.

The three-member tribunal led by Justice Obaidul Hassan fixed the date after hearing the submissions from two lawyers of the petitioners and one of the five petitioners on the matter.

Five individuals on Monday filed the petition for initiating contempt proceedings against Zafrullah for his comments of June 10, when the same tribunal found Zafrullah guilty of contempt and imprisoned him at the courtroom for an hour for criticising the punishment of Bangladesh-based UK journalist David Bergman.

During yesterday's hearing, petitioners' lawyer Khan Mohammad Shameem Aziz said after coming out from the court on June 10, Zafrullah made some comments before the media, which “scandalised” the tribunal and its judges, thus he “committed” contempt of court.

Aziz submitted a CD of Zafrullah's comments before the media and read out its content.

“Today's contempt of court verdict is the proof of mental sickness of the three judges. It proves mental illness of three justices. Ensuring justice is not possible if the judges can't tolerate criticism. When they can't tolerate criticism and lack rationality, they hide themselves under cover of law,” reads a part of his comments.

Through his comments, Zafrullah “lowered” the dignity and authority of the tribunal and attacked the administration of justice, said Aziz. “We want his exemplary punishment.”

Another lawyer Morshed Ahmed Khan said Zafrullah had challenged the authority of the court, which could not be allowed. If allowed, the administration of justice and rule of law will be destroyed, he added.

In the name of freedom of expression, he can not scandalise the court as the freedom of expression is subject to contempt of court, said Morshed.

Freedom fighter Manoranjan Ghoshal, one of the petitioners, said though Zafrullah was a freedom fighter, nobody gave him the licence to tell whatever he wanted and attacked the tribunal. No one is above the law, he added.

Other petitioners are freedom fighters Ajgar Ali and Sheikh Nazrul Islam, and Gonojagoron Mancha organisers Kamal Pasha Chowdhury and FM Shahin.

Zafrullah challenged the tribunal's June 10 order, and the Supreme Court on June 16 stayed the tribunal's verdict following his petition. The matter is still pending at the apex court.