Ctg court rejects 3 petitions filed by SC lawyer in Chinmoy’s sedition case

A Chattogram court has rejected three petitions filed by a Dhaka-based Supreme Court lawyer Rabindra Ghosh, seeking to represent Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, the spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote, in an ongoing sedition case.

The Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Saiful Islam issued the order on Wednesday (11 December) after hearing arguments from both sides.

The petitions sought an expedited hearing date for Chinmoy's bail plea, the submission of case documents, and other related reliefs. 

However, the court dismissed them, citing the absence of a power of attorney (wakalatnama) from any member of the Chattogram Bar Association, according to Assistant Public Prosecutor (PP) Advocate Md Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury, who confirmed the development to The Business Standard.

"The petitions were deemed inadmissible because the Supreme Court lawyer lacked a Vakalatnama and failed to obtain written consent from the lawyer who originally filed the case," said Advocate Raihanul of the Dhaka District Court. He explained, "For any petition to be filed in the court, a wakalatnama from a member of the Chattogram Bar Association is mandatory."

"When asked by the court if he had any wakalatnama or authorization from the filing lawyer, Rabindra Ghosh admitted he did not, prompting the court to reject the petitions," Advocate Raihanul explained.

However, SC lawyer Rabindra Ghosh, who filed the petitions, told The Business Standard that senior lawyers have an option of impunity. 

"There is a High Court directive allowing senior lawyers to hear cases in the absence of the filing lawyer. The court could have accepted the petitions as I am a senior Supreme Court lawyer aged 75," he added.

Ghosh also alleged that the lawyer defending Chinmoy had been framed in a case and that another lawyer's chamber had been vandalized. "Out of fear, they are not in a position to appear in court," he claimed. 

Chinmoy Krishna Brahmachari has been at the center of controversy since 31 October, when Firoz Khan, general secretary of the Chandgaon Mohra Ward BNP, filed a sedition case against him and 18 others. 

Following the filing, Chinmoy was arrested on 25 November at Shahjalal International Airport and handed over to Chattogram Metropolitan Police. He was denied bail when presented before the court on 26 November, sparking protests from Chinmoy's supporters at the court premises. The protests later turned violent, resulting in the tragic death of Advocate Saiful Islam Alif, who was beaten and hacked.

In response to Alif's death, the Chattogram District Bar Association urged all its members not to defend Chinmoy or any accused in the Alif murder case. However, in a press conference held on 9 December, Bar leaders clarified that lawyers from outside the Bar could defend Chinmoy and the accused in the Alif murder case.