Courtroom chaos: Barishal Bar Association chief detained, sparking protests

Sadiqur Rahman Lincoln, president of the Barishal Bar Association, has been detained over allegations of disrupting court proceedings and vandalism.

On Wednesday, law enforcement personnel took him into custody from the court premises, prompting protests from BNP-aligned lawyers.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bablu, public prosecutor at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, said: “Today, the president of the bar association was removed from his chair by law enforcement. When we asked them, they said that the additional chief metropolitan magistrate had filed a case against him.”

He added that Sadiqur has been placed in the court lock-up.

During the protests, lawyers were seen chanting slogans condemning Sadiqur's detention and calling for his release.

Earlier, on Monday, a court had granted bail to Talukder Mohammad Yunus, general secretary of the Barishal District Awami League.

Pro-BNP lawyers subsequently staged demonstrations on Tuesday morning, boycotting sessions at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate and Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate courts in protest against the decision.

The protests escalated in the courtroom around midday, leading to disruption and vandalism. Judge SM Shariatullah left the court during the incident. Following this, a case was filed later that night at the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Barishal.

Sadiqur was detained the following afternoon, with police, RAB, and military personnel present at the scene.