Sunamganj judge walks out amid courtroom commotion during ex-minister Mannan's bail hearing

The hearing had to be rescheduled due to an altercation between lawyers from both sides

The bail hearing for former planning minister MA Mannan, has been disrupted by a fracas between lawyers, prompting the judge to leave the courtroom.

The incident took place during the hearing at the Sunamganj District and Sessions Judge's Court around 11am on Wednesday, according to Mannan's lawyer Md Shafiqul Islam.

He explained that shortly after Senior District and Sessions Judge Md Hemayet Uddin entered the courtroom, a dispute broke out between lawyers from both sides. Amid the ensuing commotion, the judge left the courtroom and the hearing was rescheduled for 2:30pm

Mannan, a former lawmaker from Sunamganj, was arrested on Sept 20 in a case over his alleged involvement in an attack on students and civilians during the student-led uprising that led to the ouster of the Awami League government.

After falling ill in Sunamganj Jail on Saturday, he was taken to a local hospital and later transferred to Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital. A six-member medical board has been formed to oversee his treatment.

"MA Mannan is 80 years old and in poor health. We hope the court will take these factors into consideration and grant him bail," said Shafiqul.

Meanwhile, the plaintiff's lawyer Moinuddin Sohel claimed that the bail hearing on Wednesday was conducted in an irregular manner, prompting his team to raise objections.