Shahjahan Omar leaves SCBA premises facing backlash from pro-BNP lawyers
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Barrister Shahjahan Omar (Bir Uttam), who left BNP recently and submitted his nomination papers as an Awami League candidate for the Jhalakathi-1 constituency, came under outrage from the pro-BNP lawyers at the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) building.
The incident took place around 12.30 pm on Wednesday (December 6). At one stage of the altercation, Supreme Court lawyer Shahjahan Omar left the association building in the face of strong objections from pro-BNP lawyers.
BNP supporters and eyewitness lawyers said Omar came to the SCBA building around 12.00 pm. Then he went to room 126 on the ground floor of the association building. Later, he called lawyer Gazi Kamrul Islam Sajal, General Secretary of the Supreme Court Unit of the Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum, a platform of pro-BNP lawyers. However, Kamrul did not go to Shahjahan Omar's room.
Omar himself then went to Kamrul's room. He was then accompanied by some law enforcers. Entering the room, Omar wanted to know as to why he was scolded and why his posters were torn. Then Kamrul taunted and said he (Omar) cannot have any picture with Khaleda Zia.
The two lawyers engaged in an altercation centering on the issue. Meanwhile, some pro-BNP lawyers gathered in front of Kamrul's room. At one stage, Omar left the room. Then pro-BNP lawyers started to follow him.
Referring to Omar, pro-BNP lawyer Mahbubur Rahman said that an accused in the case of an attack on the residence of the Chief Justice is roaming openly, even he has been given police protection! Some said that an accused has brought police with him.
At one stage, Omar took a stand in front of the SCBA building and asked the pro-BNP lawyers to speak with restraint. At that time, pro-BNP lawyers chanted slogans rebuking Omar. Later, accompanied by the police, Omar left the SCBA premises.
Kamrul said, “Omar called me twice to meet him. However, I refused to meet him. Then he came to my room and misbehaved with me and threatened me.”
Earlier in the day, the sacked BNP Vice-Chairman went to the Supreme Court to meet Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan. Omar had to return without meeting the Chief Justice, who was busy with his court functions, said Chief Justice's Personal Secretary Hassan Ariful.
On November 30, BNP expelled Shahjahan Omar for violating party discipline by opting to contest the polls on an Awami League ticket.