Zafrullah cleared of contempt charge

A tribunal in Dhaka today exonerated Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury from contempt charge as he apologised before it for his June 10 comments about tribunal.

After clearing of the charge, the International Crimes Tribunal-2 led by Justice Obaidul Hassan also cautioned him heavily to not recur his behaviour in the future.

While reading out the summary of the 42-page order, the ICT-2- chairman said, “Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, the contemptner, herein has proved himself a precarious and extremely wrong-headed person. We think that if he is not prevented he will be continuing with his illegitimate, arrogant actions in tending to derogate the judiciary and the rule of law of the country.”   

Zafrullah was present before the court today.

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

The tribunal on July 12 initiated contempt of court proceedings against him for his June 10 comments after the tribunal punished him for his comments over the verdict 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.