BNP lawyers’ fistfight in front of TV cameras

Pro-BNP lawyers of the High Court and lower courts locked into a fistfight over briefing journalists in front of television cameras on the makeshift court premises of Bakshibazar on Thursday, after the BNP chief secured bail in two graft cases.

The clash broke out soon after BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia left the makeshift court of Special Judge-5 around 1:30 pm, according to a news agency.

The fight started between Khaleda’s lawyer and also President of Dhaka Bar Association Khorshed Alam, his associates and Advocate Mirza Mamun, another lawyer of Khaleda and his associates when some TV reporters sought their opinions over the bail order, said Abdul Hannar, a pro-BNP lawyer.

At one stage, Mirza Mamun assaulted Bar Association president Khorshed Alam, leading to a chase and counter-chase between the two groups, he said.

Bar Association lawyers also swooped on Mirza Mamun that left his shirt torn off. Later, other senior lawyers controlled the situation.

Earlier, the court granted bail to Khaleda Zia upon Tk 1 lakh bond each in the two graft cases -- Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust.