Khaleda Zia evicted from cantt house, CJ assurance ignored- BNP lawyers

Cantt House

BLHouse Report

Even after assurance given by Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque that the government would do nothing over Khaleda Zia's house before disposing of her leave-to-appeal, the government evicted her from the house, Supreme Court Bar Association President Khandker Mahbub Hossain said on November 13.

At a press conference at the SC, the SCBA President said a delegation the lawyers representing Barrister Rafiq-ul Huq, Barrister Maudud Ahmed,  he himself and SCBA General Secretary Barrister Bodruddoza Badal met

with Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque in the morning yesterday.

The delegation informed the CJ that the authorities concerned started the process of evicting Begum Khaleda Zia from her residence in Shaheed Mainul Hossain Road in Dhaka Cantonment.

"The Chief Justice assured us saying that it (the speech) is not correct rather a political propaganda. The government shall do nothing before disposing of the leave-to-appeal over the house," said Khandker Mahbub Hossain.

Disclosing the assurance of the CJ to media, the pro-BNP lawyers moved to submit a copy of the application with the CJ's assurance to the Cantonment Board.

But, they barred from entering the Dhaka Cantonment at the Jahangir gate and handed over a copy of the application to the concerned authorities of the Cantonment Board.

The lawyers also submitted copies of the application to the concerned authorities of police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), according to sources.

However, members of the law enforcing agencies obstructed the lawyers at Jahangir gate, one of the entrances to the cantonment. At one stage at about 2-15 pm, police charged sticks over the lawyers when they tried to encroach the barricade.

Terming the eviction of Khaleda Zia he said, "Image and dignity of the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice were degraded through evicting Khaleda Zia from her house."

Former Attorney General Barrister Rafiq-ul Huq told reporters that they were assured by the Chief Justice that the government would not take any

measure to vacate Khaleda Zia’s house until November 29 when hearing

on her leave-to-appeal against the High Court judgment would be held.

Law enforcers obstructed them at Jahangir gate At one stage at about 2-15 pm they resorted to lathi charge when the lawyers tried to encroach the barricade.

Meanwhile, law minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed yesterday said after a seminar at Hotel Radisson, "Law will run in its own speed, nobody is above law, we have to obey the court's order. That is rule of law."

Asked whether Khaleda Zia is bound to leave her residence at a time when her leave-to-appeal regarding it is pending in the apex court, Additional Attorney General MK Rahman said, "Law will take its course. But we cannot explain the matter rather the court will do it."