SC letter on Justice Jainul's asset probe diminishes court's image: HC

The High Court (HC) today disposed of the Supreme Court (SC) administration's letter to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over the probe into retired Justice Mohammad Jainul Abedin's wealth, saying the letter has diminished the image of the court.

A division bench comprising Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Shahidul Karim settled the matter giving seven observations upon a rule asking legality of the SC administration's letter to the ACC about Justice Jainul Abedin.

“The letter, which was sent to the ACC, is a letter of SC administration. It is not an opinion of the Supreme Court,” the court said in its observation, adding that the letter has tarnished the image of the court.

The letter gave an idea to the people that a retired justice will get mercy for his criminal offence, but in reality only the President (of Bangladesh) can get mercy, the court added.

Earlier on October 9, a Suo-Muto rule was issued asking why the letter sent to ACC from SC to stop investigation into the allegation of acquiring illegal wealth by Jainul Abedin, will not be declared illegal. Lawyer Badiuzzaman Tarafdar informed the court of the matter.

The ACC on July 18 in 2010 served a notice on the retired justice asking to submit his asset details before the commission. ACC on Mar 2 this year sent a letter to the SC showing necessary papers about Jainul for the sake of inquiry.

In response to the letter, the SC sent a letter to the ACC signed by an additional registrar asking to stop inquiry into the wealth of the retired justice.

Source: BSS