Judge sent back to HC

The government yesterday sent Justice Md Shohrowardi to his original workplace at High Court from the International Crimes Tribunal-1.

The decision came at a time when the government had been coming under strong criticism from all quarters as trials of war crimes by the ICT remained stalled for over two months due to the government's failure in appointing a new ICT chief.

Justice Shohrowardi was sent back to the HC in consultation with the Supreme Court, said Law Minister Anisul Huq.

Another judge from the HC will replace Justice Shohrowardi by today (Tuesday), the minister told The Daily Star yesterday.

Replying to a query, the minister said the chairman of the tribunal will also be appointed within a day or two and both the appointments might be made at the same time.

Justice Amir Hossain of the High Court may replace Justice Shohrowardi, who was appointed as a judge at the ICT on September 15, 2015, tribunal sources said.

The tribunal reached an impasse since July 13 when its chairman, Justice Anwarul Haque, passed away.

Currently, nine cases are at the trial stage and 22 others at the pre-trial stage at the ICT. Besides, its investigation agency is now collecting evidence in around a dozen more cases.