ICT-2 initiates contempt against Zafrullah

A war crimes tribunal today began contempt proceedings against Zafrullah Chowdhury for criticising a punishment handed to him earlier by the tribunal.

This is the third time that the Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder has been implicated for his comments regarding the International Crimes Tribunal.

The three-member ICT-2 led by Justice Obaidul Hassan ordered Zafrullah to show cause on why he would not be punished for contempt and ordered him to appear before the court on July 22.

The tribunal also fixed the same date to pass further order in this regard.

Earlier, Zafrullah was found guilty of contempt of this tribunal after he criticised the punishment of British-based journalist working in Bangladesh David Bergman.

He was penalised with an hour’s imprisonment at courtroom and a fine.

After the punishment, Zafrullah passed comments over the tribunal which the plaintiff said were “scandalous” of the tribunal and its judges.

On July 6, five individuals moved the contempt plea with the tribunal seeking Zafrullah’s implication in contempt over these comments.

During hearing, plaintiff lawyer Khan Mohammad Shameem Aziz submitted a CD that contained Zafrullah’s comments to the media and also read them aloud at court.

“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.