The Chittagong Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court has once again scheduled January 2 for the bail hearing of Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson for Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, in a sedition case.
Chittagong Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Saiful Islam issued the order on Thursday evening, said Nesar Ahmed, nazir of the Chittagong Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court.
Earlier, Supreme Court lawyer Rabindra Ghosh had submitted a document authorizing him to represent Chinmoy, issued by the High Court, seeking an advance hearing.
However, the court insisted that the case must be pursued with authorization from a member of the Chittagong District Bar Association.
Despite the court convening three times, no local bar lawyer submitted the required document.
Consequently, the court recorded Rabindra Ghosh's application and set the hearing date for January 2.
Nazir Nesar Ahmed said: "Rabindra Ghosh came with authorization from the High Court. The court accepted his application for an advance hearing and scheduled it for the afternoon. However, during the hearing, the court reiterated the need for authorization from a local bar member. Despite the court convening three times, no such document was submitted."
Commenting on the matter, Chittagong District Bar Association General Secretary Md Ashraf Hossain Chowdhury Razzak said: "The court has made it clear that the case cannot proceed under any rule unless a lawyer from the local bar engages in the matter. If the individual providing the authorization seeks assistance from a local lawyer, it can proceed. However, Rabindra Ghosh cannot directly move the case."
He further explained: "The High Court has issued clear directives on this matter. Lawyers from outside must work in coordination with local bar members. This is not just a rule of the Chittagong Bar Association but is applicable nationwide. Ghosh attempted to move the case without adhering to these rules."
Supreme Court lawyer Rabindra Ghosh said, "I moved the application today. The judge has kept it pending due to the absence of another lawyer. If it is rejected, we will approach the High Court."
According to lawyers present in court, although Rabindra Ghosh submitted the name of Sumit Acharya, a lawyer from the Chittagong court, Sumit Acharya did not appear at the scheduled time for the hearing.