Violence Mars Vote Count: Three Assistant Attorneys General Dismissed

Violence erupted during the elections of the Supreme Court Bar Association, focusing on the vote count, leading to the dismissal of Assistant Attorneys General Kazi Bashir Ahmed, Zakir Hossain Masud, and Shyama Akhtar. On Monday (March 11), they were dismissed from the Ministry of Law following the President's orders issued through the Solicitor Division.

Peaceful voting took place on Wednesday and Thursday. However, turmoil ensued when it was announced that the vote count would not happen during the day but rather at night, resulting in clashes. Ballot boxes were lost in the chaos but later recovered by police intervention.

At one point, the Convener of the Election Management Sub-Committee announced Nahid Sultana Juthi as the winner of the post of General Secretary on Friday morning without counting. However, the election sub-committee convener Advocate Abul Khair announced his name under the pressure of outsiders. He was coerced into writing the declaration through intimidation, a statement said.

In connection with the conflict surrounding the vote count, five lawyers were arrested and remanded by the court for three days. Additionally, Ruhul Kuddus Kajal, a candidate supported by the BNP, was also arrested.