ICT order on Zafrullah’s contempt deferred

A tribunal in Dhaka today deferred the date of passing order on contempt of court proceedings against Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury to September 1.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2, led by Justice Obaidul Hassan set the date, without elaborating the reason.

Zafrullah was present before the court today.

Earlier on August 10, the ICT-2 fixed August 30 (today) to pass an order in the contempt of court proceedings.

On that day, Zafrullah, a freedom fighter, offered unconditional apology to the tribunal for his comment on June 10 that drew contempt of court proceedings against him.

He, if found guilty, may face up to one year imprisonment or Tk 5,000 fine or both. The tribunal on July 12 initiated contempt of court proceedings against him for his comments on June 10 over the punishment of Dhaka-based British journalist David Bergman.

"Today's contempt of court verdict is a proof of mental illness of the three judges ... Ensuring justice is not possible if the judges can't take criticism. When they can't stand criticism and lack rationality, they hide themselves under the cover of law," Zafrullah had told reporters on June 10.

A freedom fighter, Zafrullah Chowdhury, along with Dr MA Mobin, visited the frontlines of the war during Bangladesh’s War of Independence, and began treating wounded freedom fighters. With the help of Bangladesh’s government in exile, they established Bangladesh Field Hospital on the eastern border near the Tripura and Comilla districts. In 1972, the field hospital was renamed Gonoshasthaya Kendra or People’s Health Centre.