Dhaka, May 13 (bdnews24.com)—The opposition chief whip has said the government has made the judiciary controversial by politicising it.
Zainul Abdin Farroque referred to the resignation of the Supreme Court's senior-most judge Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman after he was overlooked for the appointment of chief justice.
"This resignation is a disgraceful chapter to the nation," BNP MP Farroque told a human chain programme in front of the National Press Club on Friday.
Justice Muzammel Hossain was appointed to the top post through a presidential order on Wednesday. The next day, Justice Abu Nayeem resigned apparently in protest at his being passed over for the job.
Jatiyatabadi Sangskritik Foundation organised the programme protesting the revoking of caretaker government system by the same court.
Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association (BSCBA), now controlled by pro-opposition lawyers, also protested the government decision on CJ's appointment.
The last retired chief justice, according to constitution, gets first preference to become the chief adviser to the caretaker government,.
Had Justice Abu Nayeem been appointed chief justice, he would have got priority to helm the next interim administration since he would have retired within several months.
But since Justice Muzammel Hossain is a long time away from retirement, incumbent chief justice A B M Khairul Haque who retires on May 17 will get priority.
CARETAKER GOVERNMENT
The opposition chief whip also protested the Supreme Court judgement to repeal the 13th amendment to the constitution under which caretaker government provision was introduced.
"It's [verdict] is contradictory," he said and claimed it to be a part of a government conspiracy.
"People want to know at whose dictate the judges gave such verdict."
The BNP leader continued: "(Prime minister) Sheikh Hasina proposed to the special parliamentary committee on constitution review that if the caretaker government failed to ensure elections in three months, the previous elected government would do the job.
"And the next thing, the court repealed the system." The court, however, said the next two general elections might be held under caretaker government "for the sake of maintaining peace and law and order and for continuity".
"It shows the government is doing all the misdeeds by pulling a gun on the court," Farroque added.
CHARTER RVIEW
The BNP leader also threatened movement if the constitution is amended 'according to the government's whims.
"The constitution is being toyed with. It would not bode well if the constitution is amended on the back of absolutely majority."
The special committee on charter amendment earlier said it would present its report with recommendations in the ninth session of parliament beginning on May 22.
Farroque also said the government had made parliament ineffective 'by not allowing opposition MPs to speak'.
"We placed over 1,000 notices in the two and a half years. None was accepted. We're not permitted to speak about people's problems," he claimed.
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