Evicting Khaleda from cantonment house is like a contempt of court, Barrister Rafiq-ul Huq



Barrister Rafique-ul Huq

 BLHouse Report

Former Attorney General Barrister Rafiq-ul Huq on November 13 said evicting BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia from her cantonment residence is like a contempt of court.

Talking to The New Nation the senior lawyer of the Supreme Court said, "As the government knows that the apex court set November 29 for further hearing on leave-to-appeal filed by Khaleda Zia regarding her residence. After that it evicted her from the house. So, it is indirectly a contempt of court."

On Wednesday, the three-member bench of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque adjourned the hearing on the leave-to-appeal till November 29.

Following a prayer of Khaleda Zia's counsel Justice TH Khan, the apex court fixed the date for further hearing on the matter.

On October 13, a bench of the HC comprising Justice Nazmun Ara Sultana and Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif passed a judgment that rejected Khaleda's Writ petition filed challenging a government notice that last year asked her to vacate the house.

The leave-to-appeal was filed to stay effectiveness of the judgment and to seek the court's permission to file a regular appeal against the judgment.

Earlier on Thursday, Attorney General Mahbubey told reporters the HC in its judgment directed the government to allow Khaleda 30 days to vacate the house. The 30-day period would expire on Friday (November 12).

If Khaleda Zia didn't leave the residence after Friday, then he would commit a contempt of court as the court didn't stay effectiveness of the judgment.