SC won’t fall in trap of criticisms: CJ

The Supreme Court will not fall into trap of criticisms, Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha said today in the backdrop of criticisms over the 16th amendment verdict.

Constructive criticisms can be made, otherwise the judiciary will be harmed, the chief justice said while presiding over the apex court bench.

He also requested all not to criticise the Supreme Court judgement.

Criticisms from the lawmakers and cabinet members have been following around the apex court since it scrapped the 16th amendment to the constitution.

Besides ripping the parliament’s power to impeach judges, it passed some sharp observations against the Awami League government and the manner it is running the country.

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In follow-up of the criticisms, Law Commission Chairman ABM Khairul Haque yesterday strongly criticised the verdict, terming it misconceived, irrelevant and immature.

Some pro-BNP lawyers today placed some newspaper reports, containing his criticisms, before Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha this morning - prompting the chief justice to make the request.

Supreme Court Bar Association President Advocate Zainul Abedin and its Secretary AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon and some other lawyers placed the reports before the chief justice, saying that Justice Khairul’s comments are highly contemptuous.

The conversation between lawyers and chief justice

Supreme Court Bar President Zainul Abedin told the court: “We uphold the dignity of judiciary. Justice Khairul Haque in his observation said that the Supreme Court verdict is preconceived and the republic is not of the people but of the judges.”

At one stage, Barrister Moudud Ahmed told the court that the comment of Justice Khairul Haque is contemptuous.

The chief justice said: “Constructive criticism can be made about a judgement and the Supreme Court will accept the constructive criticms. We have delivered the judgement unanimously and the judiciary will not issue any rejoinder. I only say that don’t take politics in order to protect the judiciary.”

The chief justice said: “Everybody should exercise constraint for conduct and it will be good for all. Don’t politicise with the Supreme Court verdict as seven judges of the apex court had delivered the verdict unanimously.”

During the proceeding, BNP leader and former SC Bar president Khandakar Mahbub Hossain told the court: “The comments of Justice Khairul Haque has scandalised the judiciary.”

SCBA Zainul Abedin said He had come to this court as the president of Supreme Court Bar Association.

Advocate ASM Rezaul Karim, an Awami League leader and former secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association, said that Zainul Abedin did not issued any resolution on the decision about their move against Justice Khairul Haque.

SCBA Secretary AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon prayed to the court to issue a contempt of court rule against Justice Khairul Haque for his observation.