BNP activists accused of vandalising court chamber, judge's room in Chapainawabganj

Allegations have been raised that leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies vandalised the doors and windows of a court chamber and a judge's chambers in Chapainawabganj. Additional police have been deployed following the incident, which caused tension on the court premises.

The vandalism took place on Sunday, August 9, at the District and Sessions Judge's Court chamber and the chambers of Joint District Judge Md Uzzal Mahmud.

According to court sources, BNP and associate body leaders and activists became agitated when Judge Uzzal Mahmud granted bail to four accused in a case but did not decide on another accused, Tufan Ali. Tufan Ali, a Jubo Dal leader, had been arrested on Saturday night in a case involving a cocktail explosion at the wall of the district election office before the 2024 parliamentary elections.

Sources said several leaders and activists began filming inside the chamber after the four were granted bail. The judge prohibited filming and also asked additional people to leave the chamber due to a power outage. This led to a tense situation between the activists and the judge. The chamber doors and windows were later vandalised. The judge went to his chambers, where doors were also vandalised and slogans were raised, according to allegations.

Following the incident, BNP, Swechchhasebok Dal and Chhatra Dal activists protested on the court premises, demanding the removal of Judge Uzzal Mahmud within 72 hours, calling him a "collaborator of fascists." They threatened a tough movement if their demand was not met.

However, BNP leaders and activists denied the vandalism allegations. They claimed the judge had been delaying a decision on Tufan Ali's bail application and had made adverse comments about the government regarding the electricity situation.

District Swechchhasebok Dal Member Secretary Babar Ali Rumon and District Chhatra Dal President Mim Fazle Azim alleged that the judge had made sarcastic remarks about the current government during the proceedings and questioned his impartiality.

Defence lawyer and District BNP Senior Joint Convener Advocate Rafiqul Islam Tipu said warrants were issued against the accused due to a mismatch between court records and the cause list on a previous date. The judge granted bail to four accused after documents were presented. Tension arose among activists over a remark by the judge during a power outage, and attempts to film were prohibited, escalating the situation.

Public Prosecutor Abdul Wadud said the accused were previously on bail in the cocktail explosion case. Warrants were issued when they failed to appear on a scheduled date. Four were granted bail after surrendering. However, the judge left before the bail hearing of the arrested accused, and the incident occurred during subsequent discussions. He claimed outsiders were involved.

Chapainawabganj District Lawyers Association General Secretary Abdul Hasib condemned the incident as part of a "mob culture," calling it a threat to the judiciary and demanding that those involved be brought under the law.

Chapainawabganj Court Police Inspector Md Shahidullah said senior officials visited the scene and the situation is now normal.

Additional Superintendent of Police ANM Wasim Firoz said police went to the scene and dispersed those present. Security has been tightened at the court area following discussions with the judges. No arrests have been made in connection with the vandalism so far.