DHAKA: Advocate Khandakar Mahbub Hossain, a leader of pro-BNP Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum and advisor to BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, took part in the hearing of a case although the forum had a call to boycott all proceedings of the court half-day Sunday.

Khandakar Mahbub is also the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association and Vice Chairman of the Bangladesh Bar Council.

Witnesses said that he took part in the hearing at the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court from 10:05am despite the pro-BNP lawyers’ forum had the boycott program in protest against what they said that they could not hold a grand rally on the premises of the highest court on Saturday.

Begum Khaleda Zia was due to address the grand rally. As the lawyers were not allowed to hold the meeting, she later addressed a function at Jatiya Press Club.

Witnesses said that Khandakar Mahbub Hossain took part in the hearing of an appeal filed in connection with allowing advocate Tajul Islam in favor of condemned Kamaruzzaman’s appeal against his death penalty for crimes against humanity.

However, a four-member Appellate Division bench led by Justice SK Sinha turned down the plea for advocate Tajul Islam in Kamaruzzaman’s case. However, advocate Tajul will be allowed to assist a senior lawyer.

Attorney General Mahbube Alam and Additional Attorney General Murad Reza were also seen during the hearing.

According to pro-BNP lawyers’ program, the court boycott will continue till 1pm Sunday. They will also hold protest rally across the country on Monday, form human chain on Tuesday and bring out black flag processions on May 28-29.

As part of the court boycott program from 10am, the pro-BNP lawyers were seen demonstrating on Supreme Court premises at around 9:30am.

** Lawyers on court boycott 

BDST: 1151 HRS, MAY 25, 2014