Expressing grave concern about social media, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan on Thursday commented that the social media has become a danger.
"Husband-wife quarrels now also come to Facebook. If we say something about social media, question of rights to freedom of expression arises," the Chief Justice came up with the comment during the hearing of a contempt of court petition filed against six pro-BNP lawyers for making "slanderous, derogatory and contemptuous" comments about two apex court judges.
The Appellate Division also expressed dissatisfaction at the six accused pro-BNP lawyers for not apologising before it for their comments.
The Chief Justice told them that they did not apologise but sought exoneration from personal appearance which is not acceptable.
The apex court cancelled its previous order of exoneration and asked them to appear before it on August 22.
The court fixed August 22 for further hearing on the contempt of court petition.
Earlier in the day, senior lawyers Zainul Abedin and AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, who appeared for the six accused lawyers, told the Appellate Division that they have the highest respect and faith on the apex court.
Earlier on June 12, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court exempted six pro-BNP lawyers from personal appearance over making their slanderous, derogatory and contemptuous comments about two apex court judges.
The court also ordered them to submit written explanations over the issue by July 25.
The lawyers are Md Kayser Kamal, Fahima Nasrin, Md Abdul Jabbar Bhuiyan, Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal, Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman Khan and Gazi Kamrul Islam Sajal.
The court passed the order following a petition filed by the lawyers seeking exemption from personal appearance before it.
On August 29, 2023, SC lawyer Md Nazmul Huda submitted a contempt of court petition to the apex court praying to draw contempt of court proceedings against the seven lawyers and to punish them for their comments about the two SC judges at a press conference held on the Supreme Court Bar Association premises on August 27.
Among the seven lawyers, Adv AJ Mohammad Ali expired in May this year. Therefore, he has been exempted from the case.
