The Law Ministry is reportedly waiting to receive an application for six months’ leave from ICT Chief Prosecutor Ghulam Arif Tipoo, with sources claiming that “harsh” steps might be taken against Tipoo if he refused to submit it.
Sources from the International Crimes Tribunal prosecution team said the ministry wanted to solve all controversies regarding the issue this week, without creating any new ones. However, no one from the prosecution team including the acting chief agreed to be quoted on the matter.
A prosecutor, seeking anonymity, claimed that the ministry had offered Tipoo to take six months leave – which would allow him to continue enjoying the facilities that he now gets – while acting chief Haider Ali would remain in office. If Tipoo refused to accept the offer, the ministry might make a harsh decision against him, the prosecutor added.
Tipoo, however, had earlier refused to submit the application claiming that in order for him to place a fresh application; the government would first need to accept the joining letter that he submitted on April 30 after returning home from abroad.
Asked on whether he was approached by anyone from the ministry for a fresh leave application, Tipoo refused to comment.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Anisul Huq told journalists last week: “I know he [Tipoo] is still sick and he is now supposed to be on a six months’ leave.”
Ministry sourced confirmed that the ICT chief has not submitted any new leave application as of Thursday.
Preferring to stay unnamed, a prosecutor claimed that the ministry had no plan to replace the chief, but that reshuffles would take place only in the mid-level.
On Monday, acting chief prosecutor Haider Ali denied allegations that there was dissent inside the prosecution team.
Requesting anonymity, prosecution team members who support Tipoo told the Dhaka Tribune that they were under surveillance and could not comment on the issue until the ministry took any further step.
The confusion was created after the Law Ministry, in a gazette notification on April 13, said senior prosecutor Syed Haider Ali would work as the “acting chief prosecutor” during Tipoo’s one month absence. The ministry, however, neither issued any further notice nor withdrew the gazette after Tipoo’s return.
In a press conference last week, Chief Prosecutor Tipoo urged the ministry to resolve the issue.
Later in the week, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said the prosecution team should be reshuffled as soon as possible.
“There is no doubt that he [Tipoo] was a prominent lawyer. But he has become old now. At this point, the person concerned should consider whether he is fit for work or not,” the attorney general added.