The Chattogram District Bar Association has introduced that there are no restrictions on lawyers outdoor the bar or court docket-appointed attorneys representing the accused in the homicide of Recommend Saiful Islam Alif.
“Now we have [however] urged our people no longer to occupy the case as it would hurry in opposition to the memory of our colleague Alif,” President of the association Recommend Nazim Uddin Chowdhury knowledgeable a press conference right this moment time.
“On the opposite hand, we must aloof no longer have any objection if lawyers from outdoor Chattogram or court docket-appointed attorneys defend the accused,” he added.
The announcement is accessible in the wake of Alif’s brutal killing on 26 November at some level of the Chattogram court docket premises, allegedly by followers of Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson of Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote.
The incident, which occurred for the period of violent clashes between Chinmoy’s supporters and law enforcement, sparked national outrage.
Alif became once reportedly hacked and beaten to death by a mob, an act that became once captured in shocking video footage.
The killing resulted in popular protests, including work stoppages by lawyers, rallies, and requires for swift justice.
Alif’s family and native lawyers filed more than one circumstances in opposition to Chinmoy and his supporters, accusing them of homicide, vandalism, and inciting violence.
Fear engulfing lawyers and the bar’s response
The acceptable lawsuits perceived to have created a climate of apprehension among some lawyers as simply about 70 lawyers, including Chinmoy’s protection attorney Recommend Subhash Sharman, had been accused in circumstances related to the 26 November clashes.
Many of them have reportedly averted attending court docket, fearing arrest or harassment.
Responding to the matter, Recommend Nazim mentioned, “Now we have no longer bought any formal complaints about lawyers being threatened or averted from attending court docket. Those avoiding court docket might per chance be doing so for personal reasons.”
While the bar association stands agency in its design to abstain from representing the accused, it pressured out that this does no longer compromise the accused’s true to an even trial.
“In homicide circumstances, the court docket can appoint a protection attorney if wanted,” he mentioned.
“Now we have simply requested our people no longer to argue for the accused out of appreciate for Alif.”
Well-liked Secretary of the bar Recommend Mohammad Ashraf Hossain Chowdhury mentioned, “We question exemplary punishment for those guilty for this barbaric act.”
Chinmoy Krishna Das became once arrested on 25 November on prices of sedition. His arrest resulted in violent protests by his supporters, ensuing in clashes with law enforcement at Chattogram Court premises. Quite so much of circumstances have since been filed, naming hundreds of folks in connection with the violence and vandalism.