Many judges skip High Court amid boycott

Judges of quite a few High Court benches were absent on Sunday while pro-BNP lawyers’ organisation boycotted court proceedings.

Several court sources confirmed that Justices Sharif Uddin Chaklader, Md Abu Tariq, Muhammad Abdul Hafiz, Md Miftah Uddin Choudhury, Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, Md Emdadul Huq, Md Rais Uddin, Md Rezaul Haque and Sheikh Abdul Awal did not preside over proceedings.

The absence of these judges, who comprise single-judge benches or are senior judges in two-strong benches, meant the courts concerned could not be convened.

Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum called a three-hour work boycott from 10am on Sunday after police foiled their attempt to hold a rally on the Supreme Court premises the day before.

Khandker Mahbub Hossain, speaking for the agitating lawyers, told reporters before noon, “Lawyers are spontaneously observing the programme. Judges of some benches sat but had to leave the courtroom in the absence of lawyers.”

Supreme Court Registrar AKM Shamsul Islam told bdnews24.com many judges do not attend court during political strikes.

“They cannot come during shutdowns and blockades,” he said.

However, he said there was no precedent of judges not attending court because of political programmes, except during general strikes.

In reply to a query about reports of judges not attending court during Sunday’s boycott, he said, “I have heard about this. But I cannot say for certain.”

“They may have been absent because of other problems. Also, they might say that they did attend court, but went away because the lawyers weren’t there.”

“If any judge expresses solidarity with a political programme, it is an offence severe enough to convene the Supreme Judicial Council,” he said, in reply to another question.

He said he was not aware of any initiative from the Chief Justice’s office to inquire whether any of the judges had been absent on Sunday and why.

“According to the rules, the High Court judges will preside over courts from 10:30am to 1:15pm and from 2pm to 4:15pm, unless they are on leave or have been taken ill,” he added.