Judge transferred after apprentice lawyer injured in Gopalganj

A day after allegations surfaced that a judicial magistrate threw a glass paperweight at an apprentice lawyer in a courtroom in Gopalganj, Magistrate Md Sujan Mia (Second Court) has been transferred. The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs issued a notification from its Judicial Branch-1 on Thursday, relieving him from his current post and attaching him to the Law and Justice Division as a civil judge. The decision was taken in consultation with the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. The notification directed him to hand over his current responsibilities by the afternoon of July 23 and join his new post.

On Wednesday, allegations were raised that Magistrate Sujan Mia threw a glass paperweight at apprentice lawyer Sabiha Sultana in his courtroom. She sustained a serious injury on the right side of her forehead and was admitted to Gopalganj 250-bed General Hospital.

In protest, leaders of the Gopalganj District Lawyers' Association brought out a procession from the court premises on Thursday. Later, they held a rally at the District and Sessions Judge's Court premises, demanding a judicial inquiry, action against the accused and the transfer of Magistrate Sujan Mia from Gopalganj.

Lawyers Habibur Rahman, Sohag Samajdar, Rokeya Akhtar and others spoke at the rally. They said a judge is expected to maintain restraint and neutrality. A proper investigation and accountability are necessary. They also alleged that Magistrate Sujan Mia had long been displaying discourteous behaviour towards lawyers.