The High Court (HC) yesterday issued a rule on barrister Rafique-Ul Huq to show cause within three weeks why punitive action should not be taken against him on charge of contempt of court for using 'abusive' and 'objectionable' language about a judge of the court.
Responding to a contempt petition jointly filed by two SC lawyers, an HC bench also directed Rafique, one of the senior most lawyers of the Supreme Court (SC), to appear in person before it at 10:30am on March 22 in connection with this petition.
The HC bench comprised of Justice Syed AB Mahmudul Huq and Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury.
Petitioners' counsel Ramzan Ali Sikder told newsmen that Rafique, who was a counsel both for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, had abruptly stood up and shouted abusive and objectionable languages at Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury during the delivery of a dissenting judgement on February 23.
His (Rafique) words and conduct scandalised the court and lowered its dignity and honour in the eyes of the public, Ramzan said.
Idrisur Rahman and Zahurul Islam Mukul filed the petition stating that Rafique used abusive words and insinuation. He called the judge a 'collaborator', ridiculed him for not having 'necessary books' in his possession, and for being elevated to the HC from 'district court.' And he also dictated to the judge how to deliver judgement, the petitioners said.
Such conduct is punishable as contempt as it tends to create distrust in public mind and impair public confidence in courts. If such acts are tolerated, grave concerns will arise regarding dispensation of justice and public confidence in it, the petition said.
Earlier yesterday morning, some lawyers including Ramzan, a junior to eminent jurist Dr Kamal Hossain, verbally prayed to the HC bench to issue a suo-moto contempt rule on Rafique for his 'derogatory' comments about the HC judge, which were published in a section of the press.
The HC bench asked the lawyers to file an application in this regard.