Pointing at the aftermath of fine imposed by the apex court, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam has said the cabinet would take a decision whether Food Minister Quamrul Islam and Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque can continue their duties.
“Now it is not possible to say if the ministers will loss the ministership onus due to the punishment. There is no clear explanation in the constitution about the issue as well. The cabinet will take necessary decision about them,” said AG Mahbubey Alam in a briefing at the Supreme Court following the judgement on Sunday.
He also said making any remarks according to the short verdict copy is not possible, reports Bangla Tribune, a sister concern of the Dhaka Tribune.
“Even the court has not let off the ministers. So common people can realise the punishment of the contempt of the court,” the AG went on.
Earlier in the day, an eight-member bench of the Appellate Division fined Tk50,000 each for their derogatory remarks on Chief Justice SK Sinha and in default, the duo will have to suffer seven days in jail.
The court ordered them to deposit the money to Islamia Eye Hospital and Liver Foundation of Bangladesh.
The ministers sought unconditional apology and the petition was rejected finally.
On March 8, the apex court issued a contempt rule against the two ministers and sought their explanations.
Quamrul on March 5 said Jamaat leader Mir Quasem’s appeal should be reheard by a new Appellate Division bench excluding the chief justice.
Earlier, 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.