Awami League to discuss Chief Justice Sinha’s remarks before its official response, says Quader

The Awami League will discuss Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha’s remarks on his leave before making any response, says the party’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader.

Law Minister Anisul Huq has also been asked to attend the meeting, he told the media on Saturday.

Justice Sinha’s leave amid the criticism of his verdict cancelling the 16th constitutional amendment has pulled in broader attention.

The law minister claimed Justice Sinha went on leave for health reasons.

But before leaving for Australia on Friday night, the chief justice said he was taking the leave as he was ‘embarrassed’ by criticism from the ruling Awami League.

Speaking to the media in Dhaka on Saturday, cabinet member Quader said: “It's on the record that he sought leave. What he told the media before leaving the country is also on the record.”

“Our party’s working committee and advisory council will hold a joint meeting on these issues this evening. We will discuss the matter and give our response.”

Asked why Sinha disavowed illness as the reason for leave, Quader said: “He cited illness as the reason for his leave in his letter to the president. We must discuss both letters.”

“We have also invited the person who loudly proclaimed that the chief justice was taking leave due to his illness to the meeting,” he said referring to Law Minister Huq.

The BNP claims the chief justice was ‘forced to go abroad’ based on the law minister’s remarks

Justice Sinha, however, said on Friday he was leaving ‘temporarily’ for the 'sake of the judiciary's image'.

Speaking to the press outside his residence before heading to airport, he complained of the government 'interference' in the Supreme Court, saying it 'will not do any good' to the country.