A High Court bench has been dissolved following allegations of corruption against a Justice raised by Supreme Court Lawyers.
The allegation has been brought against Justice Md Ataur Rahman Khan following an incident of discourteous behavior towards a lawyer.
Meanwhile, a new bench has been formed by the Chief Justice.
The new bench has been comprised of Justices KM Hafizur Alam and Kazi Zinat Hoque removing Ataur Rahman from the bench.
Lawyers filed a complaint with the Chief Justice for an investigation and necessary action against the Justice Ataur Rahman.
The lawyers claimed that the justice is corrupt and that his actions undermine the student-led movement and the Chief Justice's anti-corruption efforts.
It has been reported that the 7th bench of the Supreme Court's High Court division has been hearing cases under vacation jurisdiction. However, there has been widespread dissatisfaction among lawyers regarding irregularities in the cause lists and hearings from the beginning. Despite informing the relevant court through representatives of the lawyers' association, no effective measures have been taken to resolve these issues.
On Tuesday morning, during the mentioning of cases, barrister Ashraf Rahman raised the issue before the court.He respectfully began by apologizing and stated that the bench officers had improperly failed to include several submitted cases in the cause list which left many lawyers at a disadvantage.
In response, Justice Md Ataur Rahman Khan became angry and raised his hand, saying: "I was a leader of the bar. Who gave you the courage to speak against my court? Get out of my courtroom, you insolent one; I will have you slapped and sent to the police."
When lawyers present in the courtroom protested strongly, both justices (Justice Md Ataur Rahman Khan and Justice KM Hafizur Alam) left the bench.
Meanwhile, barrister Ashraf Rahman told Bangla Tribune that there are widespread allegations of irregularities and corruption against the justice and the bench officers, which have been observed by the government lawyers associated with the bench.
He claimed this situation undermines the student-led movement and the Chief Justice's anti-corruption initiatives. He pointed out that items 1-22 on the bench’s cause list had previously been postponed, yet today (on Monday) they reappeared on the list for unexplained reasons.
Executive member of the Supreme Court Lawyers' Association, Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, stated that Justice Ataur Rahman Khan behaved unprofessionally towards the lawyers and that there are allegations of corruption and irregularities against him.
He mentioned that they strongly protested the incident and decided to boycott the court, which led the justices to leave.
