Special Correspondent :
In a major breakthrough, Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi met Chief Justice Surendra Humar Sinhar at the latter’s office in the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Sources close to the SC told The New Nation that the meeting continued for about one hour from 3:00pm to 4:00pm where both of them discussed the recent verdict delivered by the SC annulling the 16th Amendment to the Constitution.
Confirming the matter, Additional Register of the High Court Division of the SC (admin) Sabbir Fayez said last night, “The meeting was held between the duo and main agenda was 16th Amendment verdict.”
The meeting between the CJ and the PM’s adviser is now getting high importance in the country’s political and other circles concerned when the ruling Awami League has taken tough stance against the CJ for delivering verdict and observation on the 16th Amendment.
Meanwhile, the pro-ruling party lawyers’ forum Bangabandhu Awami Ainjibi Parishad (BAAP) on Tuesday demanded resignation of Chief Justice SK Sinha by tomorrow (Thursday) along with canceling the verdict and observation on the 16th Amendment.
If the CJ does not step down responding to their demand, the BAAP would start a one-point movement against the head of the judiciary.
The ultimatum came just a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina blasted the CJ over the same issue alleging that ‘threat and political statements are being issued by the apex court’.
In line with the ruling Awami League’s strategy to gain public support against the verdict, the BAAP organized a meeting like other days in front of the Supreme Court Bar which was presided over by organization’s convenor advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun.
The pro-Awami League lawyers raised allegations that the CJ has violated his oath by comparing the local incident with Pakistan. Not only that, the CJ has also made objectionable remarks against the women lawmakers.
Echoing the same, BAAP’s Member-Secretary Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapos yesterday blamed SK Sinha for threatening the PM. “The CJ has threatened PM Hasina by citing reference to a Pakistan court order that disqualified Nawaz Sharif as their Premier. So, the CJ will have to resign from the office, as he has violated his oath by citing reference to the Pakistan Supreme Court,” Tapos said.
Earlier on Monday, PM said CJ SK Sinha should have quit before making such comparison (to Pakistan) and defaming parliament. “I will tell one word that everything could be tolerated, but comparing Bangladesh with Pakistan cannot be acceptable,” the PM warned.
On the other hand, the pro-BNP lawyers’ platform Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum has demanded resignation of PM Sheikh Hasina for taking hostile attitude against the judiciary.
“PM Sheikh Hasina has taken stand against the judiciary by talking about CJ’s resignation.” Supreme Court Bar Association chief and the forum’s President Advocate Zainul Abedin said at a meeting organised at the North Hall of Supreme Court Bar Association.
