Barrister Sarwar Summoned by High Court Over Press Conference Accusing Judge of Corruption
The High Court has summoned Supreme Court lawyer Barrister M Sarwar Hossain over remarks he made at a press conference alleging corruption against a judge in Pirojpur. He has been directed to appear in person before the court on November 26 to explain his remarks.
On Sunday (November 8), a High Court bench comprising Justice J B M Hassan and Justice Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan passed the order on its own motion.
The court also directed the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to remove from online media the video of the remarks made about the judge.
Deputy Attorney General Barrister Shihab Uddin Khan said the High Court has issued a rule on a contempt of court allegation against Barrister M Sarwar Hossain.
The rule asks why contempt proceedings should not be taken against him for publicising, at a press conference, a corruption allegation against Nahid Rumana Mitu, Joint District Judge of Pirojpur, before the allegation was proved, thereby undermining the dignity and sanctity of the court.
It is learnt that Barrister M Sarwar Hossain recently held a press conference raising a corruption allegation against Nahid Rumana Mitu, Joint District Judge of Pirojpur. His remarks at the press conference were carried by various media outlets and online news portals.
The court observed that an explanation is needed on whether the dignity and sanctity of the court have been undermined by publicly raising a corruption allegation against a judicial officer before it was proved, and by publicising it. In view of this, a contempt rule was issued against Barrister Sarwar Hossain.
Meanwhile, the High Court has also issued contempt rules against the editors of several media outlets and news portals concerned over the broadcast of the video of the same press conference.
The online law news portal Lawyers Club Bangladesh has also been directed to supply a copy of the video of the press conference to the court.
The court has also directed the Registrar General of the Supreme Court to inquire into the truth of the corruption allegation raised against Nahid Rumana Mitu, Joint District Judge of Pirojpur. If the allegation is found to be true in the inquiry, necessary action is to be taken in accordance with the law.
Earlier, on November 5, a legal notice was sent to Barrister Sarwar Hossain alleging the spread of false information and damage to the reputation of Judge Nahid Rumana Mitu. The notice demanded that he withdraw his remarks and apologise publicly.
Advocate Ishrat Hasan sent the notice on behalf of Supreme Court lawyer Syed Mahfuzul Islam.
Acting Attorney General Barrister Mohammad Arshad Rauf, Deputy Attorney General Barrister Shihab Uddin Khan and other law officers were present in court on behalf of the state at the time.
