Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Thursday termed ‘indecent and tantamount to contempt of court’ the remarks of Law Commission Chairman ABM Khairul Haque on Chief Justice SK Sinha and the Supreme Court’s verdict that annulled the 16th constitutional amendment.

“We’ve observed with sorrow that ex-Chief Justice and current Law Commission Chairman ABM Khairul Haque spat venom against the verdict, even before the government or ruling party coming up with formal reaction to it,” said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he further said, “It seems he (Haque) has started feeling the heartburn following the verdict. What he said about the Supreme Court’s verdict and the Chief Justice sitting in the chair of Law Commission is not only offensive but also tantamount to contempt of court.”

Fakhrul said the remarks of the Law Commission chief and the ruling party leaders are composed in the same thread.

On Wednesday last, Haque harshly criticised the Supreme Court verdict calling it misconceived, irrelevant and immature.

Protesting his comments, Fakhrul said there is no difference in the statements of the ministers and Awami League leaders and Justice Khairul Haque. In fact, his statements are that of Awami League. We condemn his remarks. He advocated for unjust instead of regretting his misdeeds.”

He alleged that people are feeling badly how Haque’s verdicts that he delivered regarding the 5th, 7th, and 13th amendments affected Bangladesh’s democracy. “Political instability and people’s frustration intensified, while government has become reckless following Justice Haque’s verdict.”

The BNP leader said Awami League has imposed a one-party and despotic government on people obliterating multiparty democracy as Haque revoked the election-time caretaker government system.

About Awami League’s reaction to the 16th amendment verdict, Fakhrul said it is usual for the party to get frustrated and aggrieved over it as the party still cannot understand that the monster they have created have started grasping them.

The BNP leader thanked the Supreme Court as it pointed out the issues like widespread corruption, misrule, nepotism and the vanity of power that are destroying all the dermas and achievements of the Liberation War. “The Supreme Court verdict is undoubtedly a light of hope for justice, democracy and human rights during this bad time.”

Describing the 16th amendment verdict as Magna Carta, Fakhrul said the 799-page verdict is historical document which depicted the country’s current social and political context unveiling the truth.

He alleged that ruling party leaders are exposing their true face by making unguarded remarks about the verdict and threatening the judiciary.

BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed said Law Minister Anisul Huq’s reaction to the verdict was not justified one. “The Law Minister’s responsibility is to implement the verdict delivered by different courts. He backed off from his responsibility due to political reason.”

He said the 16th amendment verdict has protected the judiciary from the government’s move to control the courts.

Moudud, also a former law minister, said no irrelevant observation was given in the verdict. “We think each word of the verdict is relevant. We didn’t get any irrelevant statement in it.” 

He urged the government to file a review petition with its objection and statements instead of making the judiciary controversial and denting its image.

The BNP leader criticised Khairul Haque for his comment on the verdict saying the ex-CJ has no sense of shame.

He questioned the legality of press conference convened by Haque as the Law Commission Chairman. “He shouldn’t hold the press conference as a law Commission Chairman. It’s completely violation of public service code of conduct.”

Moudud said the Law Commission chief has exposed his partisan and political attitude through holding the press conference.