Staff Reporter:
Law Adviser Asif Nazrul on Thursday expressed concern to the Chief Justice over what he described as the granting of “abnormal bail” to terror suspects by different judges.
Speaking to reporters after a farewell meeting with Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed at the Supreme Court, Asif Nazrul said he had conveyed his worries about the issue both earlier and again on Thursday.
He said Thursday marked the last working day of Chief Justice Dr Refaat Ahmed, and he visited him to express gratitude for his role at a critical juncture for the nation.
“He assumed office as Chief Justice at a very crucial moment and played a guardian’s role in judicial reforms in line with the aspirations of the July mass uprising,” Asif Nazrul said.
The law adviser noted that all legal reforms undertaken through the Law Ministry received the Chief Justice’s support. “At different times, we shared our concerns with him. One of the key concerns was that some High Court benches were granting bail in an unusual manner,” he said.
Asif Nazrul claimed that in some instances, hundreds of bail orders were issued within a few hours. He said the Chief Justice had taken measures in this regard, including summoning the concerned benches, which reduced the trend to some extent, though it still persists.
He warned that individuals released on such bail could pose serious threats, including attacks on leaders of the July mass uprising. “When dangerous individuals are granted bail, we feel deeply alarmed and concerned,” he said, adding that the Law Ministry has no authority over the High Court.
Describing the Chief Justice as the guardian of the High Court, Asif Nazrul said he hoped the issue would be given due consideration by the next Chief Justice as well. He also said the name of the new Chief Justice is likely to be announced within the next three to four days.
The law adviser further said Dr Refaat Ahmed had agreed to continue offering advice even after retirement to help sustain the reforms undertaken in the judiciary.
Asif Nazrul said the appointment of the next Chief Justice is a policy decision of the government, and he does not have the authority to comment on it individually. However, he added that the name of the next Chief Justice is likely to be known within the next three to four days.
