Code of conduct: HC judge accused of violating it

Pro-BNP leaders of the Supreme Court Bar Association yesterday wrote to the chief justice, alleging that Justice Muhammad Khurshid Alam Sarkar, a judge of the High Court Division, violated the code of conduct by taking part in a "political views-exchange meeting" in Gaibandha.

SCBA Treasurer Mohammad Kamal Hossain, its Senior Assistant Secretary Mahfuz Bin Yusuf, Assistant Secretary Mahbubur Rahman Khan, and executive members Golam Akhter Zakir, Monjurul Alam Sujan and Kamrul Islam submitted the letter to the office of personal secretary of Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique.

In the letter, they said it was learnt from social and print media and also video clips that Justice Khurshid was present at "a views-exchange meeting for an Awami League-nominated candidate" in the upcoming by-election to Gaibandha-5 (Saghata-Fulchhari) constituency.

The honourable judge (Khurshid) was seen delivering a speech at the meeting, and the AL candidate addressed the judge as his local guardian, mentioning that it was a political meeting, they said in the letter.

The SCBA leaders further said Justice Khurshid breached the code of conduct set by the Appellate Division in its 2017 judgement and tarnished the Supreme Court's image by attending the meeting.

They also expressed deep concern over this.

The Daily Star contacted Farjana Rabbi Bubli, the wife of Justice Khusrhid, as the judge is not supposed to talk to the media.

Farjana, also general secretary of Fulchhari upazila AL in Gaibandha, said the meeting in question was organised at her village home in Fulchhari after Zohr prayers on September 15 for two reasons.

The first one was to explain to her family members, relatives and well-wishers in Fulchhari and Saghata the reasons behind her decision not tocontest the by-election slated for October 12 as an independent candidate.

And the second one was to offer prayers for late deputy speaker of Jatiya Sangsad Fazle Rabbi Miah, she said.

"My husband [Justice Khurshid] joined the said meeting just before the start of the monajat [prayers] led by a local moulavi. After the monajat, AL-nominated candidate Mahmudul Hasan Ripan joined the gathering and out of courtesy, my husband handed over the microphone to Ripan who delivered a speech…," Farjana said.

Farjana also said she had sought nomination from the AL for contesting the by-election but Ripan succeeded in getting it. And out of courtesy, Ripan visited her village home.

Contacted, SCBA President Md Momtaz Uddin Fakir said he heard about the pro-BNP lawyers' letter to the chief justice.

"They submitted the letter without consultation and permission of the SCBA executive committee. They cannot do it. The pro-BNP lawyers have done it for political gains," he said.

Momtaz further said the pro-BNP lawyers cannot use SCBA pads without the executive committee's approval.

"I will enquire into the matter and take necessary steps," added Momtaz, who was elected SCBA president from the pro-Awami League panel.