Observations in SC verdict contain 'wrong information'

Leaders of the ruling Awami League yesterday said some observations of the Supreme Court verdict in the 16th amendment case contain “incorrect information” and “wrong interpretation”.

They also termed “unexpected” and “unacceptable” the apex court judgment that scrapped parliament's power to remove SC judges for misconduct or incapacity, said party sources.

Some of them were opposed to complying with the judgment.

The ruling party leaders expressed their views at a joint meeting of the AL presidium members and secretaries of the central committee at the Gono Bhaban last night.

They also decided to bring up the issue before the nation, according to meeting sources.

The party leaders said Chief Justice SK Sinha's observations in the SC verdict undermined Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and also parliament.

They claimed the CJ's observations were tantamount to contempt of the constitution.

At the meeting, AL Presidium Member Mohammed Nasim said Bangabandhu and parliament were demeaned in the observations.

Referring to the CJ's observation that “No nation, no country is made of or by one person”, another Presidium Member Abdur Razzak said this was totally “unexpected” and “unacceptable”.

AL Joint General Secretary Abdur Rahman asked whether a lawsuit could be filed for “dishonouring Bangabandhu”.

At that, the PM, in a rather lighter vein, said he would better file the case, according to meeting sources.

The PM also asked her party colleagues to prepare for the next national polls, saying it would be held under the Election Commission in line with the constitution.

The UNB reported that the PM in her introductory speech earlier urged people to remain alert against those who opposed the country's independence.

"Those who opposed the country's independence and those who didn't want it had been engaged in genocide, rape, looting and arson attacks. The evil forces are still in Bangladesh and want to strike whenever they get a chance.”

She said if forces like the BNP-Jamaat alliance grab power as they did in 2001, the country would again plunge into chaos.

QAMRUL DEMANDS CJ'S REMOVAL

Food Minister Qamrul Islam yesterday demanded removal of the CJ for his “irrelevant and objectionable observations” in the verdict in the 16th amendment case.

“If the chief justice doesn't step down by this month, lawyers would launch a vigorous movement next month to remove him,” he said at a discussion, organised to mark the National Mourning Day, in the capital.

“You [the CJ] would not be able to stay in your post, siding with the anti-liberation forces, including the BNP,” he added.