Zafrullah gets three  days to reply ICT notice

A war crimes tribunal today gave Zafrullah Chowdhury three more days to reply its show cause notice over “demeaning” comments on the tribunal.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 led by Justice Obaidul Hassan came up with the order after Zafrullah’s lawyer Sayed Ahmed Raza moved a plea for more time to answer the notice.

Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder and freedom fighter Zafrullah Chowdhury was present at court today.

Earlier on July 22, he was given two weeks to reply on the show cause notice.

On July 12, the ICT-1 initiated contempt of court proceedings against him for his comments over the tribunal and its judges on June 10, when he was found guilty of contempt of court for criticising the punishment of Bangladesh-based UK journalist David Bergman.

On July 6, five individuals - three freedom fighters and two organisers of Gonojagoron Mancha - filed the petition to initiate contempt proceedings against Zafrullah for his June 10 comments.

“Today's contempt of court verdict is proof of the mental illness of the three judges. It proves mental illness of three justices. Ensuring justice is not possible if the judges can't tolerate criticism. When they can't tolerate criticism and lack rationality, they hide themselves under cover of law,” said a part of Zafrullah's comment.

This is the third time Zafrullah is facing contempt of court charges for his comments over war crimes tribunals and judges.

A freedom fighter, Zafrullah Chowdhury, along with Dr MA Mobin, visited the frontlines of the war during Bangladesh’s War of Independence, and began treating wounded freedom fighters. With the help of Bangladesh’s government in exile, they established Bangladesh Field Hospital on the eastern border near the Tripura and Comilla districts. In 1972, the field hospital was renamed Gonoshasthaya Kendra or People’s Health Centre).