Dhaka, Oct 25 (Just News): Jatiya Oikya Front leader Dr Kamal Hossain has condemned the arrest of Barrister Mainul Hossain, one of the sponsors of the alliance he leads with the BNP.
“With all due respect, I have to say a country’s prime minister cannot tell to sue someone. Mr law minister, make (the PM) understand it. If you are not capable, we will help you,” he said on Thursday while addressing a discussion by a newly-launched lawyers’ platform.
On Saturday (Oct 20), the ‘Jatiya Ainjibi Oikyafront’ was floated ‘restore democracy, ensure an independent judiciary and establish the rule of law and people’s voting rights’.
Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Zainul Abedin and its secretary Mahbub Uddin Khokon, both pro-BNP lawyers, are the convener and member secretary of the 301-member convening committee.
“We have to witness these even after 47 years of Independence. To me it’s a punishment. A senior lawyer and friend told me recently ‘Whatever happening in the name of Awami League, does it reflect Bangabandhu’s vision?” said Kamal Hossain on Thursday.
Condemning Mainul’s arrest, the Okiya Front leader said that he had secured bail from the High Court on same charges.
“I was surprised to see that he was taken away (arrested) in the evening and later jailed.”
A senior lawyer, Kamal Hossain said that that there were no laws that a person sued for libel has to be arrested in the night.
“It’s a bailable suit. Mr Law minister you may not know other things, but you had practised criminal law with your father. You very well know what a bailable offence is,” he said in a clear reference to Cabinet member Anisul Huq.
Describing Mainul’s arrest as ‘autocratic’, he said, “This is not democracy.”
(Justnews/ys/2300hr)
