The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has fixed March 20 for the hearing on the contempt rule issued against Food Minister Qamrul Islam and Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque following their remarks on Chief Justice SK Sinha.
The nine-member full bench headed by Chief Justice SK Sinha fixed the date on Tuesday morning.
The court asked them to be present before it duirng the next hearing.
Earlier in the day, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque appeared before the court.
On Monday, Food Minister Quamrul Islam tendered unconditional apology to the Supreme Court for his remarks on Chief Justice SK Sinha. The minister also sought a week's time to appear before the court as he is out of the country on a government trip.
On March 8, the court had issued the contempt rule against the two ministers and asked them to appear before it on March 15.
Related stories
* Legal notice served to two ministers
* Two ministers criticise CJ for prosecution remark
* Mahbubey: Wait till Quasem’s verdict and see
* BNP denounces ministers' remarks about CJ
Qamrul on March 5 said Jamaat leader Mir Quasem’s appeal should be reheard by a new Appellate Division bench excluding the CJ.
Justice Sinha criticised the tribunal’s prosecution and investigators for failing to prove four charges against Quasem. He also flayed government for not filing a case against Quasem for appointing lobbyists against the war crimes trial process.
Qamrul, state minister for law when the tribunal was formed, thinks Justice Sinha’s remarks questioned his intention.
Minister Mozammel demanded Justice Sinha’s resignation. Other speakers who attended the discussion organised by Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee also criticised the chief justice.