'It's not true', says ex-CJ ABM Khairul Haque on allegations of forgery, as court grants 7-day remand
A Dhaka court has placed former chief justice ABM Khairul Haque on a seven-day remand in a case filed over abuse of power and forgery of court documents.
During the hearing at the court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sanaullah, the former chief justice denied the allegations brought by the prosecution, stating, "It's not true."
The case, lodged with Shahbagh Police Station, accuses Khairul Haque of abusing his official capacity to unlawfully issue orders, reports, verdicts, or decisions. It also includes charges of forging court documents and government records.
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Wearing a bulletproof vest and helmet, with his hands cuffed, the former chief justice was brought to court at 9:55am under tight security.
Investigating officer Sub-Inspector of Shahbagh Police Station Khalek Mia applied for a 10-day remand, stating, "Because of a verdict passed by him [the former CJ], three generations were deprived of their right to vote. Why did he give such a ruling? Under whose orders? Who else was involved? These questions need to be answered."
The investigating officer was referring to the Supreme Court verdict that abolished the caretaker government system.
Assistant Public Prosecutor Azizul Haque Didar also spoke during the hearing, claiming, "He [Khairul Haque] issued the verdict 16 months after retirement. It was aimed at allowing the then-deposed Sheikh Hasina government to become an autocratic ruler. We have suffered greatly because of this ruling. The judiciary itself was hindered from functioning properly for a long time."
In response, Khairul firmly said, "It's not true."
Additional Public Prosecutor Shamsuddoha Sumon added, "This is about the 13th Amendment. On 16 September 2012, he delivered the controversial ruling in the Supreme Court. The case [against Khairul] was filed under Sections 219 and 264 of the Penal Code, which entail a maximum punishment of 7 years in prison."
He further said, "This ruling paved the way for fascism in Bangladesh – worse than anything done by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman."
No defence lawyer was present on behalf of the accused during the hearing. After the arguments concluded, the court approved a 7-day remand for Justice ABM Khairul Haque.
Former chief justice ABM Khairul Haque, heading a seven-judge Appellate Division bench of the Supreme Court, delivered the landmark verdict that declared the 13th Amendment – which had introduced the caretaker government system – unconstitutional and void in May 2011, thereby abolishing the caretaker government system.
The former chief justice was detained by the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) from his Dhanmondi residence on 24 July.
Since the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024, several cases have been filed against Khairul Haque for allegations of fraud, forgery, treason, and corruption.
