Law Ministry Issues Notification over Withdrawing Judge Kamrunnahar

Judge Mosammat Kamrunnahar of the Women and Child Abuse Repression Prevention Tribunal-7 observed that 72 hours after the rape, the police should not take any statement of a rape case. Her observation sparked a storm of widespread criticism across the country. As a result, the Chief Justice revoked her judicial power.

And now, this time she has been withdrawn and attached to the Law and Justice Division.

A notification in this regard was issued by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs on Sunday (November 14).

According to the notification, Judge (District and Sessions Judge) Mosammat Kamrunnahar of the Women and Child Abuse Repression Prevention Tribunal-7, Dhaka, has been removed from her current job and attached to the law and justice division in consultation with the Bangladesh Supreme Court.

Earlier in the day, the chief justice had instructed the judge not to sit in court. The chief justice issued the order on Sunday (November 14) in consultation with senior Supreme Court justices.

The Supreme Court also temporarily revoked the judicial powers of the judge and sent a letter to the law ministry to take necessary steps to relocate her from her current job.

Judge Mosammat Kamrunnahar of Dhaka's Women and Child Abuse Repression Prevention Tribunal-7 acquitted five accused in a rape case at the Raintree Hotel in Banani on Thursday (November 11). According to the verdict, the prosecution could not give any acceptable explanation as to why the case was filed 38 days after the rape.

The court directed the police to conduct a proper investigation and report to the court in the future. At the same time, the verdict also said that the police should not take up a case after 72 hours of rape incident.

After that, the country's lawyers and human rights activists have raised questions about the judge's instructions.

Last Saturday (November 13), Law Minister Anisul Haque said, "One thing I want to say very clearly, I do not want to talk about the content of her (judge's) verdict now. But it is completely illegal and unconstitutional for the police not to take a rape case after 72 hours."

On that day, the law minister said, "I am writing a letter to the chief justice to take action on her performance as a judge."