The High Court (HC) on Wednesday issued a rule seeking government's explanation about its failure to take action against staging illegal demonstration against a sitting Supreme Court judge at Madaripur.
Some people led by a Union Parishad Chairman organised a human chain programme against Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore at Rajoir Bus Stand of Madaripur district on Sunday protesting against some remarks of the High Court Division judge of the Supreme Court.
They allegedly chanted slogan against the judge and also demanded his resignation, as Justice Gobinda disclosed some misdeed's of Bidhan Chandra Biswas, the chairman of Kadambari Union under Rajoir Upazila of Madaripur, during court hour on September 1.
Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore told lawyers in the courtroom that recently he visited his ancestral home at Madaripur to participate in the rituals for his dead aunt.
Locals, in presence of police and some civil administration officials, who accompanied him to participate in the ritual, narrated that the UP chairman cut away road side trees and also stolen a solar panel set from a Hindu temple.
They said that they did not get any remedy for the misdeeds of the chairman and requested Justice Gobinda to do something. The judge then asked police and the government officials to enquire into the incidents and take action.
"After investigation, the allegations were found to be true, but no actions were taken against the influential chairman," Justice Gobinda said and posed a question to the attending lawyers in the court, "If police and local administration can ignore a High Court Judge's instruction, what can happen to the common people?"
At least three cases were filed in the Rajoir Police Station as different media published the misdeeds of the chairman quoting from the judge's narration the following day.
Irked by this development, UP Chairman Bidhan Biswas instigated his men to organize a human chain against the SC judge.
Two lawyers, Gazi Mostak Ahmed and Md Istiaque Ahmed, on Wednesday filed a writ petition with the HC in the form of Public Interest Litigation challenging the unlawful assembly held to humiliate an SC judge and also the inaction of the authorities to this effect.
After hearing the petition, an HC bench comprising Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice JN Deb Choudhury issued rule and order asking the authorities to explain in four weeks as to why their "willful failure and negligence in discharging their statutory and professional duties and responsibilities" will not be declared illegal.
The court at the same time directed the authorities to submit the particulars of the people who participated in the illegal assembly against the SC judge. The court at the same time ordered to ensure security of Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore's family members who are residing in the area.
The court also wanted to know as to why directives will not be issued to take legal action against the persons including the chairman who are involved in misappropriating, hoarding and dealing some rice sanctioned by the government for poor people.
Fifty people including the secretaries of the Public Administration, Home, Food and Local Government, Inspector General of Police, Police Super of Madaripur, Officer in Charge of Rajoir Police Station and the UP Chairman have been made respondents to the rule.
Barrister ABM Siddiqur Rahman Khan and Advocate Riazuddin stood for the petitioner. Deputy Attorney General SM Moniruzzaman represented the state.
Meanwhile, another case has been filed against UP Chairman Bidhan Biswas under the Section 57 of ICT Act on charge of posting a facebook status defaming Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore.
Advocate Sujit Chatterjee filed the case with Shahbagh Police Station in city on Tuesday night. Chairman Bidhan Biswas and a local inhabitant Golam Mawla were made accused in the case. Officer-in-charge of Shahbag Police Station Sirajul Islam confirmed the matter to the Daily Observer.
He also said that the chairman Bidhan Biswas organized a human chain against Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore in his area displaying banners inscribed with humiliating words. Later, he posted photos and status against the justice on facebook, he added.
