Justice Sinha’s statement proves govt influencing judiciary: Mirza Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha’s statement has proved that the government is trying to establish control over the Supreme Court.

“The chief justice already said that the government is trying to establish control over the Supreme Court. He has said it again. We have nothing more to say here,” Mirza Fakhrul said in reply to reporters’ queries on Saturday.

Before leaving Dhaka for Australia on Friday after taking a month of ‘sick leave’, Justice Sinha said he is ‘not sick, but embarrassed’ by criticism by ruling Awami League leaders.

He also warned against government 'interference' in the Supreme Court, saying it 'will not do any good' to the country.

"His statement cleared the government’s stance on the judiciary," Mirza Fakhrul said adding “This statement has stated the facts, and proved the government’s intention,” he said.

“Any intelligent person can understand in what circumstance the chief justice had to leave and what is going to happen,” he added.

The BNP leader also thinks the chief justice’s comment that the government was ‘misled’ is ‘very significant’.

“He has said the government was misled and the honourable prime minister was made feel hurt. I am taking this seriously,” Mirza Fakhrul said.

“Who misled the government? Who compelled the chief justice to leave his office? Who made a false document?” he asked, referring to Justice Sinha’s letter, publicised by Law Minister Anisul Huq.

Mirza Fakhrul also alleged government influence behind the back-to-back arrest warrants for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

“The law states that proceedings of a case in the lower court will stop when it is pending in the High Court. But after the chief justice went on the leave, the executive’s interference in the judiciary has become visible.

“The government’s intention behind the arrest warrants is clear – they want to dispose of the cases quickly and punish her,” he said.

The BNP leader urged all to raise their voice to ‘uphold the judiciary’s independence’.