Chief Justice Sinha was forced to take leave, BNP tells foreign diplomats

The BNP has told foreign diplomats in Dhaka that Chief Justice SK Sinha was forced by the government to take leave from office after claiming that he is ill.

The leaders of the political party made the allegation at a closed-door meeting at Dhaka's Lakeshore Hotel on Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by the ambassadors of 24 countries including the UK, US, China, France, Canada, Sweden, Germany, Australia, Denmark, Norway, Turkey, UAE, Morocco, Vietnam and the EU.

Representatives of the UN were also present at the meeting.

"We have discussed the chief justice's leave from office. We believe that he is not ill. We told the diplomats that he was forced into taking leave," senior BNP leader Moudud Ahmed told reporters after addressing the diplomats.

The meeting took place between 4pm and 6pm.

Chief Justice Sinha, who has faced criticism from ruling Awami League leaders over his verdict cancelling the 16th constitutional amendment, has sought a one-month leave from office.

His term in office will come to an end on Jan 31. Sinha will be travelling to Australia during his leave, the government has said.

The decision was announced to the media by Attorney General Mahbubey Alam on Oct 3, a day before the Supreme Court was set to resume after a one-month vacation.

Law Minister Anisul Huq later confirmed the matter. He revealed the chief justice's leave letter to journalists but the BNP has raised doubts about its authenticity by claiming that the judge's signature on it has been forged.