The war crimes tribunal deferred the date of passing order on a contempt issue against barrister Fakhrul Islam monday, a defence counsel for alleged war criminal Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, till September 28.
On January 14, the reconstituted tribunal 1 show-caused Fakhrul to explain why contempt proceedings should not be drawn against him for seeking explanation from the two members of the tribunal whether they were privy to alleged Skype controversy.
In the order, the tribunal noted that the petition had been filed intentionally to create negative image in public mind about the tribunal’s proceedings. Earlier on December 30 last year, the defence counsel for Salahuddin Quader filed the petition.
Fakhrul on June 5 told the tribunal that after seeking pardon “there is no provision to punish someone in a contempt accusation in High Court and Appealed Division.”
That day the tribunal 1 set monday for the order.
Though, on Monday Fakhrul appeared before the tribunal in the beginning of the day’s proceedings, the tribunal deferred the date.
On December 11 last year, the first chairman of the tribunal 1, Justice M Nizamul Huq, resigned after her Skype and email communication with a Brussels-based Bangladeshi expatriate legal expert were published in media. After the leak, Justice Nizamul reigned while the government reconstituted both the tribunals.