Expressing resentment at Justice Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan, a High Court judge, for distributing a news item on the alleged blogposts of Ahmed Rajib Haidar among other judges, people of different professions yesterday demanded his removal and punishment through the Supreme Judicial Council.
Mizanur on Monday distributed clippings of a February 17 news report of the daily Inqilab among judges, including Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain, through two Supreme Court employees. The news report mentions Rajib as a murtad (non-believer).
A blogger and activist of the Shahbagh movement, Rajib was killed near his house in the capital's Pallabi Friday night.
In a written statement, Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee described the judge as loyal to Jamaat-e-Islami and an anti-liberation man.
Mizanur was appointed an HC additional judge on July 29, 2002 and his job was confirmed on July 29, 2004 during the previous rule of BNP-Jamaat.
“Such malafide, political and intentional action of a Supreme Court judge (Mizanur) has not only damaged the dignity of the judges of the higher judiciary, but it is also linked with the tremendous audacity of 71's attacker and war criminal organisation Jamaat-e-Islami against the Shahbagh heroes,” the committee said.
Nirmul Committee acting president Shahriar Kabir, vice presidents Prof Muntasir Mamun, Shahidjaya Shyamali Nasrin Chowdhury, Bhaskar Ferdausi Priyabhashini, filmmaker Shamim Akhter, and Dr Syed Shafiqul Alam, and general secretary Kazi Mukul signed the statement.
The pro-Awami League lawyers yesterday demanded that the chief justice does not allow Justice Mizanur to perform any judicial function until the Supreme Judicial Council takes a decision about him.
Attorney General Mahbubey Alam demanded the judge's resignation, saying, “If you (Mizanur) quit, you will be saved from multiple disputes, and the judiciary will be saved too.”
He said there were some judges at the HC, including Mizanur, who were involved in Jamaat-e Islami in the past.
“Justice Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan has committed a gross misconduct showing loyalty to the politics of Jamaat-Shibir by his action," said AFM Mesbahuddin, a former president of Supreme Court Bar Association.
Anisul Huq, principal state counsel for the Bangabandhu murder case, said Mizanur lost his eligibility to hold the post of a judge, as he insulted the nation through his action.