A Supreme Court lawyer has served legal notice to Food Minister Quamrul Islam and Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque for criticising Chief Justice SK Sinha for his reported remarks on the prosecution in war criminal Mir Quasem Ali's case.
In the notice, lawyer SM Julfiqar Ali requested the minister to explain why their remarks about the chief justice would not be tantamount to contempt of court.
Terming the remarks of the two ministers "illegal" and "unconstitutional", the lawyer urged the ministers to give explanation within 24 hours. Otherwise, he said that he would file a writ petition with the High Court in this regard.
Food Minister Quamrul Islam on March 5 said that Jamaat leader Mir Quasem’s appeal case should be reheard by a new Appellate Division bench excluding the chief justice.
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During hearing in the case, Justice Sinha criticised the prosecution team and the investigators of the International Crimes Tribunal for their inefficiency and negligence in dealing with the case as they had failed to prove four charges against Quasem. He also criticised the government for not filing a case against Quasem for appointing lobbyists against the war crimes trial process.
Quamrul thinks the chief justice’s remarks raised questions about his intention. He was the state minister for law when the tribunal was formed in 2010.
At the same event, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque made similar observations. He demanded that the chief justice resign. Other speakers who attended the discussion organised by Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee also criticised the chief justice.
