Dhaka, Feb 26 (NationPress) A significant number of litigants in the Barishal district of Bangladesh have faced obstacles in obtaining judicial services after court operations were halted for three straight days. This suspension is a response to the arrest of the district bar association president and the initiation of legal action against twelve attorneys, according to local media.

With all courts, including the District and Sessions Judge's Court, ceasing operations, many litigants who arrived at the courthouse on Thursday morning left without any advancement in their legal matters.

Reports indicate that one litigant, Sabuj Hawlader, was witnessed wandering from one courtroom to another until noon, carrying his legal documents.

Speaking to reporters at the courthouse, he stated that a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act had been filed over three months and ten days ago against three individuals, including Akbar Ali Hawlader, who is currently out on bail, as reported by leading Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star.

"Upon seeking bail from the High Court, we were instructed to apply to the lower court. However, the court has been inactive for the past three days. I have been unable to submit my bail application," Sabuj expressed.

He further noted that the deadline for submitting the bail request concludes on Sunday.

"With Friday and Saturday being non-working days, Thursday was effectively our last chance. My concerns are growing as the courts remain idle," he said.

According to legal professionals, a case was filed on Wednesday under the Speedy Trial Act against Sadiqur Rahman Linkon, the President of the Barishal District Bar Association, along with eleven other lawyers, accused of courtroom vandalism and threatening a judge.

On Tuesday afternoon, a group of protesting lawyers, allegedly led by Linkon, damaged the courtroom of the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, with CCTV footage of the act later circulating on social media.

The case was filed by Rajib Majumder, a bench assistant at the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's court, which resulted in Linkon's arrest and subsequent incarceration that same afternoon.

On Thursday morning, the protesting lawyers demanded his immediate release on bail, warning of an indefinite suspension of court proceedings if he was not released within the day.

"Judicial operations across Barishal have been halted for 72 hours. Litigants are enduring hardship, but when lawyers face injustice themselves, there is little that can be done," a protesting lawyer told The Daily Star on the condition of anonymity.

He cautioned that protests would persist until authorities withdraw the "baseless charges" and grant bail to the bar association president.