DHAKA, Aug 4, 2023 (BSS) - Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said the BNP during its regimes repeatedly tarnished the country's judiciary and constitution as the party turned the judiciary into its party's arena.

"Founder of the BNP Ziaur Rahman introduced the ill-culture of lawlessness in Bangladesh. In order to facilitate the appointment of party-backed judges, he sent four judges into compulsory retirement, violating the constitution," he said.

Following his footsteps, Khaleda Zia used the judiciary as a political tool, he said, adding that they (BNP leaders) converted the judiciary into a party arena and everything was controlled by Hawa Bhaban.

The veteran AL leader, also road transport and bridges minister, said these in a statement signed by AL office secretary Barrister Biplab Barua condemning and protesting the 'arrogant and anti-constitutional speech' of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on the judicial department of the country.

During the tenure of the BNP, they even kicked the door of the then Chief Justice, Quader added.

Noting that they (BNP leaders) made a person High Court judge, who did not have any 'law degree," he said, adding that he was forced to resign after being vindicated.

Violating the country's law and court rules, a High Court judge held court inside his residence at night to grant bail to the war criminal's son, he continued.

Obaidul Quader said that the BNP has repeatedly tarnished the country's judicial system and constitution.

The BNP today is trying to create confusion in people's minds by spreading misinformation about the constitution and judiciary system to save their top leaders from criminal charges, he said.

"But all are equal under the law. The political identity of the criminal is not a matter of law," he mentioned.

The AL general secretary also said that the AL-led government has consolidated the independence of the country's judiciary with the sole efforts of Prime Minister and people-friendly leader Sheikh Hasina.

Under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, the worthy daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he said the rule of law has been re-established in the country instead of the ill-culture of lawlessness.

Lashing out at BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's recent statements, he said he (Fakhrul) along with their leaders is intentionally making negative comments about the country's independent judiciary.

But, the crimes of corrupt leaders of the BNP have been proven through long criminal proceedings and evidences, he said, adding that they have been punished by the judgment of the court.

The representative of the United States' intelligence agency FBI testified against Tarique Rahman, the mastermind of the August 21 grenade attack, for corruption and money laundering, he said.

Highlighting the BNP's corruption, he said Taka 40 crore, siphoned off by Zia family, had been brought back to the country from abroad.

Khaleda Zia was also sentenced by the judgment of court as she was found guilty on the basis of evidence and as per the existing law for embezzling orphans' money, he continued.