Obaidul Quader says Sinha’s claims against government are ‘fictitious’

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has dismissed former Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha’s allegation against the government as ‘fictitious.’

Justice Sinha claimed he resigned in the ‘face of intimidation and threats’ in his book titled “A Broken Dream: Rule of Law, Human Rights and Democracy”.

The book published in a Kindle version on Amazon made a series of assertions, including the government’s pressure on him leading to his inglorious exit from the judiciary. 

Sinha alleged that he was forced to resign and exiled by the government after he fell out with the Hasina administration over a “historic verdict in favour of the independence of judiciary”.

“It was unprecedented in the history of the judiciary,” Sinha wrote.

Quader, an Awami League stalwart, rejected his claim.

“We’re all aware of the context in which he had resigned from his post. He can write a fictitious book staying abroad but I don’t think we should talk about that,” Quader told reporters in Dhaka on Thursday.

“Why couldn’t he say all this earlier as the chief justice? Now he was speaking about an old issue—that too, all fabricated.”

“People become jealous when they lose power.”

Justice went on leave in October last year after facing the rage of the ruling party for the verdict cancelling the 16th constitutional amendment and some of his observations in the judgment. 

“Various ministers said I will go abroad on medical leave. On October 14, 2017, as I was compelled to leave the country, I tried to clear the air in a public statement that I am neither unwell nor am I leaving the country for good.”

The government said he was sick, but before leaving Bangladesh on Oct 13, Justice Sinha said he was 'not sick, but embarrassed' by the criticism from the ruling Awami League.

After his resignation, the Supreme Court said in a rare statement that Justice Sinha had been facing 11 specific charges, including corruption, money laundering, financial irregularities and moral blunder.

The other judges in the Appellate Division were not in favour of working with the chief justice, it said.

The Anti-Corruption Commission also began its investigation on the allegations against Justice Sinha.

In his book, Justice Sinha dismissed the allegations as “propaganda” and insisted on his financial transparency.

“Cabinet members including the Law Minister began smearing me alleging misconduct and corruption. While I remained confined at my official residence and lawyers and judges were prevented to visit me, media were told that I am unwell and have sought medical leave,” the former chief justice wrote.

“I was hoping that my physical absence combined with Court’s regular vacation will allow the situation to calm down and good sense will prevail; that the government will understand that the essence of the Verdict – upholding the independence of judiciary – is beneficial to the nation and the state.”

Sinha also mentioned in his book that he had resigned his position from abroad in the “face of intimidation and threats to my family and friends”.