Why Was Former Bangladesh Chief Justice Placed on a 7-Day Remand?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- A.B.M. Khairul Haque has been remanded for seven days over allegations of judicial forgery.
- The court's decision followed a request for a 10-day remand.
- No legal representation was present during the hearing.
- Multiple cases have been filed against Khairul since the interim government took power.
- The political implications of this case are significant, with potential repercussions for Bangladesh's democracy.
Dhaka, July 30 (NationPress) The former Chief Justice of Bangladesh, A.B.M. Khairul Haque, has been placed under a seven-day remand by a Dhaka court on Wednesday due to a case regarding alleged judicial forgery, as reported by local media.
The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court in Dhaka issued this order after a petition from Sub-inspector Khaled Miah of the Shahbagh police station, who sought a 10-day remand for questioning.
Notably, during the hearing, there was no legal representation for Khairul Haque, according to the prominent Bangladeshi daily, Prothom Alo.
Khairul was apprehended last week at his residence in Dhaka, with police confirming his arrest without providing specific details.
Reports indicate that multiple cases have been registered against Khairul across different police stations since the interim regime took power in Bangladesh.
One of these cases was lodged in August of the previous year by a leader from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Narayanganj District Bar, concerning Khairul's ruling that declared the caretaker government system unconstitutional 13 years prior.
Following this, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Dilruba Afroze Tithi dismissed the case, finding no valid basis to pursue charges against the former Chief Justice, as per local media.
Recently, the Awami League party of Bangladesh condemned the "unjust" detention of Khairul, who is known for delivering the landmark verdict in the Bangabandhu assassination case, labeling it as part of the "ongoing repression" under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
Analysts view these developments as a significant political vendetta orchestrated by the Yunus administration, as numerous cases have been filed against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her allies, and officials during her time in office, based on dubious grounds after her ousting in August 2024.
The abrupt removal of Hasina was perceived globally as a severe blow to the democratic framework in the country. The interim government has also faced substantial backlash for harboring radical and extremist Islamic groups.