Granting bail to Hasina's followers inconsistent with rules: Asif Nazrul
The law adviser further said that the chief justice had supported all the laws that were enacted through the law ministry
Granting bail to the followers of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina would be inconsistent with the rules, as she has repeatedly threatened to kill those involved in the July Uprising, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said today (18 December).
"I hope that when the new chief justice will assume office and I would meet him for the first time, I will tell him that the fugitive fascist leader Sheikh Hasina in India has repeatedly threatened to kill those involved in our July Uprising. Granting bail to her party's followers would not be consistent with any rules of bail. Judges should consider that if someone who could potentially kill me is granted bail, the responsibility for that act could fall on them," he said.
The law adviser said these while talking to newsmen after calling on Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed at his Supreme Court office this afternoon.
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"The situation has reached a point where, to protect our children, we must once again voice our concerns. I assure you that in my first meeting with the new chief justice, I will emphasise that bail must be granted where it is a legally entitled right. Judges, of course, must grant such bails."
"However, if there is sufficient reason to believe that the accused or individual granted bail could potentially kill you or me, that person should not be granted bail. We have already drawn the chief justice's attention to this matter," Asif Nazrul added.
"Today was Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed's last working day. I came to express my thanks and gratitude to him. He took on the responsibilities of chief justice at a crucial moment for the nation. In implementing the judicial reforms aimed at fulfilling the expectations of the July Uprising, he has played a guiding role," he added.
The law adviser further said that the chief justice had supported all the laws that were enacted through the law ministry. He added that he had expressed various concerns to the chief justice at different times.
"Let me mention one issue that is currently under much discussion. For instance, some benches of the High Court had been granting unusual number of bails. I had previously met the chief justice to express my concerns about this, and I did so again today."
"I am stating publicly that on all previous occasions when I raised this with him, he took certain measures. The chief justice took action as he deemed fit," he stated.
Asif Nazrul said while the impact of such bail has somewhat reduced, it still continues. "When such unusual bail is granted-especially to dangerous individuals who could attack the leaders of the July Uprising-we feel extreme anxiety, fear, and concern," he added.
"However, the law ministry has no control over the High Court, nor should it. The guardian of the High Court is the chief justice, and I had previously expressed my apprehensions about this matter to him," he further said.
