Editorial
Unbecoming of an HC judge
An act of indiscretion
In the face of lawmakers' demand in the Jatiya Sangsad, to remove High Court judge Mizanur Rahman for his alleged 'misconduct,' on Tuesday, law and parliamentary affairs minister assured them that he would discuss the matter with the chief justice.
HC judge Mizanur Rahman drew the wrath of the MPs and many in the legal profession after distributing among his colleagues some newspaper cuttings that contained blasphemous imputations about the slain blogger Rajib.
First, it was completely unprofessional on the part of a sitting HC judge to lower himself in this manner by circulating unverified news reports with slanderous contents against Rajib.
Second, he went beyond the remit of his judicial
province by engaging himself in such an uncalled-for initiative.
Third, some people read political implications into this.
Terming his behaviour 'misconduct,' the law minister has suggested that the president might ask the chief justice to form a supreme judicial council to take necessary action against the judge in question.
We agree with the lawmakers' sentiments. The judge's action, as reported in the media, appears to have been a motivated one, which is highly exceptionable for someone holding an office as exalted as an HC judge's. And the speaker minced no words to express his disappointment over the issue saying, 'where will the people go, if judges themselves engage in such activities?"
The public hold judges, particularly those of HC, with high esteem and expect them to be people of integrity and principle, strong morality and having an impartial mindset.
Obviously, HC judge Mizanur Rahman has failed to use his discretion that attracted widespread opprobrium.
We would be awaiting the president's or the speaker's move in this regard for an early end to the embarrassment that might have been caused to the judiciary.
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