bdnews24.com :
Minister AKM Mozammel Huq, convicted of contempt by the Supreme Court, says what he did was ‘not intentional.’ “I may have violated my oath of office to defend the Constitution, but I did not do it intentionally,” was how the Liberation War affairs minister reacted on Saturday.
His remarks come two days after the top court published the full verdict, convicting him and Food Minister Qamrul Islam for their remarks on hearingsof a war criminal’s appeal.
“I did not intentionally undermine the Constitution,” he told a discussion.
Mozammel, however, said he did not want to make any further remarks on the issue. “Let me receive the verdict’s copy and discuss it with my lawyers.” On Mar 27, an eight-member appeals bench led by the chief justice rejected the pleas by the ministers for quashing contempt charges.
They had offered unreserved apologies but the top court convicted them.
The Appellate Division on Thursday published the full verdict, where it said, “The respondents thus neglected their sworn duty to protect the rule of law enshrined in the Constitution.
“They have acted in violation of law and are in breach of their oath of office to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.”
Food Minister Qamrul is yet to make any remarks after the full verdict was published on Thursday.
Qamrul and Mozammel have ‘no right’ to be ministers after the top court’s observation, said Supreme Court lawyer Shahdeen Malik. After the verdict in March, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said it was the government’s call, but added that ‘ethical issues’ were involved.
Alam refused to comment on the matter after the publication of the full verdict.
Minister AKM Mozammel Huq, convicted of contempt by the Supreme Court, says what he did was ‘not intentional.’ “I may have violated my oath of office to defend the Constitution, but I did not do it intentionally,” was how the Liberation War affairs minister reacted on Saturday.
His remarks come two days after the top court published the full verdict, convicting him and Food Minister Qamrul Islam for their remarks on hearingsof a war criminal’s appeal.
“I did not intentionally undermine the Constitution,” he told a discussion.
Mozammel, however, said he did not want to make any further remarks on the issue. “Let me receive the verdict’s copy and discuss it with my lawyers.” On Mar 27, an eight-member appeals bench led by the chief justice rejected the pleas by the ministers for quashing contempt charges.
They had offered unreserved apologies but the top court convicted them.
The Appellate Division on Thursday published the full verdict, where it said, “The respondents thus neglected their sworn duty to protect the rule of law enshrined in the Constitution.
“They have acted in violation of law and are in breach of their oath of office to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.”
Food Minister Qamrul is yet to make any remarks after the full verdict was published on Thursday.
Qamrul and Mozammel have ‘no right’ to be ministers after the top court’s observation, said Supreme Court lawyer Shahdeen Malik. After the verdict in March, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said it was the government’s call, but added that ‘ethical issues’ were involved.
Alam refused to comment on the matter after the publication of the full verdict.
