Former chief justice of Bangladesh A B M Khairul Haque has hit the newspaper headlines here for having been bribed by the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The sensational disclosure came as opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Khaleda Zia has accused him of rescinding the caretaker government provision ‘for money’.
“It’s crystal clear today that he gave the verdict in exchange for money,” Khaleda said after greeting the people on Eid al-Fitr at the Ladies’ Club in Dhaka.
She also blamed the former top judge for ‘destroying the judiciary and making it partisan.’
Haque had been given 1mn taka from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the treatment of his ailing wife along with 23 other judges in May this year.
The caretaker provision introduced in 1991 through the 13th amendment to the Constitution was abolished on March 10 by the seven-strong Appellate Division bench, which Khairul Haque led. The court, however, said the interim government can oversee the next two general elections ‘to avoid chaos’. Haque has not written the full verdict until now.
Later, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina disbanded the system through brute majority in the parliament by way of the 15th amendment despite opposition from the BNP and its like-minded parties.Interestingly, although retired long ago, Khairul Haque has not yet written the judgement that declared the caretaker system illegal.
Moreover, Khairul Haque was made chief justice by the government of Hasina by superceding Justice Abdul Matin on September 2010. Two senior judges had abstained (by taking leave) from judicial work in protest against such a move. While on leave, Justice Matin retired from the judiciary with agony and frustration. Khaleda had to leave her cantonment house upon orders by the highest court of the country. The top constitutional court also threw out the fifth, seventh and 13th amendments to the constitution and annulled the caretaker government provision. All these verdicts were presided over by Khairul Haque.
Returning from Saudi Arabia after performing Umrah, the former prime minister said her party would announce agitation to unseat the government ‘in time’ and rescue the people.
She also uttered lines from a popular Bangla song, warning judges of facing trial in people’s court.
“It’s (agitation) not aimed to capture power, but to save the people from the repressive government’s torture,” she said.
The opposition leader, however, did not mention the schedule of the agitation plan.
She said the 15th amendment was done to establish ‘a one-party rule’ in Bangladesh and to stay in power for ever.
“But we want to make it clear, that no matter how many laws are enacted, no election will be allowed to take place without a caretaker government.” Agencies
The sensational disclosure came as opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Khaleda Zia has accused him of rescinding the caretaker government provision ‘for money’.
“It’s crystal clear today that he gave the verdict in exchange for money,” Khaleda said after greeting the people on Eid al-Fitr at the Ladies’ Club in Dhaka.
She also blamed the former top judge for ‘destroying the judiciary and making it partisan.’
Haque had been given 1mn taka from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the treatment of his ailing wife along with 23 other judges in May this year.
The caretaker provision introduced in 1991 through the 13th amendment to the Constitution was abolished on March 10 by the seven-strong Appellate Division bench, which Khairul Haque led. The court, however, said the interim government can oversee the next two general elections ‘to avoid chaos’. Haque has not written the full verdict until now.
Later, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina disbanded the system through brute majority in the parliament by way of the 15th amendment despite opposition from the BNP and its like-minded parties.Interestingly, although retired long ago, Khairul Haque has not yet written the judgement that declared the caretaker system illegal.
Moreover, Khairul Haque was made chief justice by the government of Hasina by superceding Justice Abdul Matin on September 2010. Two senior judges had abstained (by taking leave) from judicial work in protest against such a move. While on leave, Justice Matin retired from the judiciary with agony and frustration. Khaleda had to leave her cantonment house upon orders by the highest court of the country. The top constitutional court also threw out the fifth, seventh and 13th amendments to the constitution and annulled the caretaker government provision. All these verdicts were presided over by Khairul Haque.
Returning from Saudi Arabia after performing Umrah, the former prime minister said her party would announce agitation to unseat the government ‘in time’ and rescue the people.
She also uttered lines from a popular Bangla song, warning judges of facing trial in people’s court.
“It’s (agitation) not aimed to capture power, but to save the people from the repressive government’s torture,” she said.
The opposition leader, however, did not mention the schedule of the agitation plan.
She said the 15th amendment was done to establish ‘a one-party rule’ in Bangladesh and to stay in power for ever.
“But we want to make it clear, that no matter how many laws are enacted, no election will be allowed to take place without a caretaker government.” Agencies
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