A tribute to Justice Sobhan
I had the privilege of being introduced with Justice Sobhan. The last time I came in contact with him was in the Human Rights Summer School organised by ELCOP on 10 December 2007 in Proshika Centre, Manikgonj. Justice Sobhan went there to preside over the moot court session. When I met him he inquired of my well being addressing me by name. I was astounded a little bit. Because I thought that he might have identified my face but recalling the name would be a remote possibility. I informed him that I was thinking to opt for judicial service. He discouraged me and said, “You are quite perfect for an academic discipline.” I told, “You are always campaigning for improving the judicial system, then do you not think that I would be of use for that purpose?” “Good academicians are also not out of the ambit of anti-generic lawyering”- he retorted. Such was Justice K. M. Sobhan. I did not contemplate then that we, as a last bite of 2007 (31 December 2007), would lose the star of progressive movement, a relentless campaigner of human rights and a loud voice for trial of the war criminals and their aides of 1971.
I had no scope to see Justice Sobhan sitting at the Bench. But the picture can be visualized from a remark while he was presiding over a moot court session. After the Counsel for the respondent had finished his submission, the Appellant's lawyer stood and deposed, “My Lord, my opponent counsel has given all his intelligence to mislead this court.” Then Justice Sobhan commented with anguish, “Do you think that the court is seated here to be misled?”
The philosophy of K. M. Sobhan was simple---people oriented.
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