A Dhaka court has ordered the president and general secretary of the Dhaka Bar Association to identify those responsible for assaulting a lawyer who was reportedly assaulted in a courtroom on November 7.
The Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mostafizur Rahman issued this directive on Monday.
He has asked to identify the people who were involved in assaulting the lawyer, who fell on the ground and submit a report within seven days.
The directive, which requested the report, mentioned that on November 7, during a remand and bail hearing of former minister and member of the Awami League Advisory Council, Amir Hossain Amu in courtroom-9 of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court.
A dispute and scuffle broke out between two groups of lawyers. As per reports in print and electronic media, one of the lawyers fell to the floor, which came to the attention of the court.
Maintaining decorum in the courtroom is essential to uphold public confidence in the judiciary and ensure fair and impartial justice, the directive said.
The order further said that such behavior by lawyers in open court tarnishes the dignity of the court and the legal profession, fostering negative perceptions among the public and justice-seekers.
To preserve trust in the judiciary, the directive calls for forming an investigative committee to identify those involved in the incident and submit a report within seven days.
On November 7, Swapan Ray Chowdhury claimed he was attacked by pro-BNP lawyers during the remand hearing on Amir Hossain Amu.
Public Prosecutor (PP) Omar Faruq of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court made a statement in favor of the remand, which Amu’s lawyer referred to as political.
This sparked an aggressive response from pro-BNP lawyers. Several lawyers reportedly grabbed Swapan Ray’s collar, dragged him, and pushed him to the ground in front of the courtroom door.
They then kicked him repeatedly inside the courtroom. Other lawyers later pulled him out of the court.
