Taposh on Ex-CJ: Amir-Ul-Islam brings it to SC’s notice

Eminent jurist M Amir-Ul-Islam yesterday placed before the Appellate Division a comment made by Dhaka South Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.

Before the court, Amir-Ul-Islam read out a portion of a report published on May 23 by Manab Zamin in which Taposh was quoted as saying, "We had even taken down a chief justice."

The daily ran the report, titled "Ekjon Chief Justice keo Namiye Diyechhilam", based on a speech Taposh delivered on May 21 at a programme of Bangabandhu Awami Ainjibi Parishad at the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) auditorium.

Yesterday, Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, who was leading the Supreme Court bench, did not give any decision but said, "We will look into the matter later on."

Amir-Ul-Islam, one of the framers of the constitution, read out the report that quoted Taposh as saying,"I wish I could resign and come back here [at the SCBA]. I know where to use the hammer. We had even taken down a chief justice."

Taposh then said, "The civil society members, who want to preach to us, we will bundle them in a sack and throw them into the dark water of the Buriganga."

He also said that when the Bangabandhu Awami Ainjibi Parishad was formed, it included non-prominent lawyers like himself while learned, renowned, and prominent lawyer leaders were excluded.

The chief justice then interrupted Amir-Ul, saying, "Let us see. Let us run the court proceedings."

Amir-Ul then asked whether the matter would be dealt with by the court.

"Let us read it. Will we not make a decision on what should be done?" the CJ replied.

A number of pro-BNP lawyers, including former SCBA presidents Zainul Abedin and AJ Mohammad Ali, former SCBA secretary and current BNP Joint Secretary General AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, BNP Law Secretary Kayser Kamal, former SCBA secretaries Bodruddoza Badal and Ruhul Quddus Kazal were with Amir-Ul-Islam.

Attorney General AM Amin Uddin and SCBA President Md Momtaz Uddin Fakir were also present in the courtroom.

Amir-Ul later told reporters, "It is unfortunate. We are aggrieved. Not only the judiciary, the people of the whole country have been hurt by the comment [of Taposh]."

He said Mayor Taposh also slammed the civil society and senior lawyers and undermined the judiciary.

"From where did he get this right? His comments are very arrogant and tantamount to contempt of court."

Also at the May 21 event, Taposh said AY Masihuzzaman, convener of the election subcommittee for the SCBA polls last year, was a hypocrite.

"We considered Masihuzzaman a giant … a man like an angel. Whatever he says happens. We had fair and lawful demands. Our [SCBA] secretary post candidate Abdun Nur Dulal had caught them stealing red-handed. Ballot papers disappeared. At least 3,100 votes had been cast. They said 2,600 votes had been cast, as 500 ballots disappeared. When we caught this and became firm and vocal, the cat came out of the bag. We had said the ballots cast will have to be recounted in public and then we will accept the election results…

"They stopped vote counting and staged a drama for 41 days. Mashiuzzaman went away at the gesture of the opposition secretary candidate. An election commissioner cannot leave [the polling centre] without completing the election activities. But he had done it in connivance with them ... .

"A candidate for the SCBA president post got involved in the snatching of ballot papers, which is scandalous.

"He wears a cap on his head but he is a hypocrite, a ballot thief. The political party which they support stole democracy, constitution and votes. They had looted for nine years. We will not allow a repeat. These thieves will have no place on the Supreme Court premises ... .

"There is no need [for them] to teach me. There is no need [for them] to teach Jononetri Sheikh Hasina. We have learned much since the Pakistan regime and [we have] brought independence for the Bangalee nation. Who will teach us? If anybody becomes 'civil', they will be considered our enemy."

Law Minister Anisul Huq, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali, and Attorney General AM Amin Uddin were among those who spoke at that event.

Asked, former law minister Shafique Ahmed told The Daily Star that people of that stature who make such comments about others should be careful as many look up to them.

Taposh could not be reached for his comments despite repeated attempts.