16th amendment verdict: AL, BNP lawyers stage demo, counter-demo

Lawyers' groups aligned with the Awami League and the BNP staged demonstrations at different bar association premises across the country today, for the fourth day, over the Supreme Court verdict in the 16th amendment case.

Pro-AL lawyers held rallies and human chains under the banner of Bangabandhu Awami Ainjibi Parishad (BAAP) demanding cancellation of the apex court verdict.

Earlier, their demand was for expunction of “unexpected, irrelevant and unconstitutional observations” made by the chief justice in the verdict.

Meanwhile, Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum (JAF), a platform of pro-BNP lawyers, held rallies at different bar associations including the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), demanding resignation and arrest of Law Commission Chairman Justice ABM Khairul Haque for “breaching code of conduct” by holding a press conference on the SC verdict.

They also protested the ministers’ “provocative comments” about the SC verdict and AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Kader’s move to meet the chief justice at his residence over the SC verdict.

Earlier on August 13, 16 and 17, both the lawyers' groups organised similar programmes across the country.