State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur on Thursday alleged that court verdicts in the past were influenced from Ganabhaban, the official residence of the prime minister.
“We have heard that in the past court verdicts came from Ganabhaban. We believe that era has come to an end. In present-day Bangladesh, the law will run in its own course,” Nur, also the president of Gono Odhikar Parishad, said.
He made the remarks while addressing an iftar and prayer gathering organised by the Dhaka Bar unit of Bangladesh Ainajibi Odhikar Parishad as the chief guest.
Referring to the political changes following the July mass uprising, he said the country now has an opportunity to rebuild a “new Bangladesh,” and lawyers should play a leading role in that process.
He also alleged that during the fascist rule, bar associations were taken over through coercion in the name of elections and the judiciary was brought under political influence.
Emphasising the importance of strengthening democratic institutions, Nur urged lawyers to become more involved in politics to help establish the rule of law and ensure a more effective parliament.
He expressed hope that the Bangladesh Ainajibi Odhikar Parishad would work to create opportunities for legal professionals to enter parliament and represent the interests of the country’s lawyers.
The programme was chaired by Dhaka Bar unit convener of the parishad Mominul Islam.
Among others, Hasan Al Mamun, general secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad; senior vice-president Faruk Hasan; and media coordinator Abu Hanif also spoke at the event.
The programme was conducted by member secretary Habibur Rahman.
Others present included Sarkar Nure Ershad Siddique, general secretary of the Bangladesh Ainajibi Odhikar Parishad; Shawkat Hossain, law secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad; and leaders of the parishad Sajedul Islam, Mehedi Hasan, Shirin Akter Shely, Yamin Siraji and Gouranga Lal.
