Violating Stay Order: Kishoreganj judge apologises to HC

Kishoreganj’s Senior Judicial Magistrate Md Rafiqul Rabbi yesterday apologised to the High Court, for continuing trial proceedings of an extortion case despite the HC staying the proceedings earlier.

Rabbi appeared before the HC bench of Justice Obaidul Hassan and Justice AKM Zahirul Huq as per its November 12 summon, and offered unconditional apology to the bench.

The bench exonerated Magistrate Rafiqul from personal appearance before the court in connection with the issue.

Rafiqul’s lawyer Barrister ABM Altaf Hossain told the court that his client could not properly understand the HC order, and he will remain cautious in future.  

The bench had come up with the order on a voluntary move while hearing a bail petition filed by Md Atahar Ali and Sirajuddin, two accused in the case.

The same day, the HC directed presidents and general secretaries of all bar associations across the country to provide legal assistance to justice seekers if they fail to appoint any lawyer to defend them.

The court ordered Bangladesh Bar Council, a statutory body regulating the country’s lawyers, to monitor this issue.