ICT‑1 issues arrest warrant against ex‑BCL leader over contempt of court

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has issued an arrest warrant against a former leader of the banned Chhatra League, accusing him of contempt of court over a Facebook post alleging financial influence in a case involving Sheikh Hasina.

The accused, MH Patwari Babu -- whom the prosecution identified as a former vice-president of Chhatra League -- allegedly made the post on his personal Facebook account two days before Prosecutor Shyikh Mahdi brought the issue before the tribunal’s notice through a written application.

The tribunal passed the order on April 7 after taking cognisance of the contempt allegation filed by the prosecutor on the same day.

In its order, the tribunal directed law enforcement agencies to take action against those who liked, shared, or commented on the post.

According to the prosecution’s written application, Babu claimed in the post that the chairman of ICT-1, along with several individuals had been influenced by large sums of money in convicting Sheikh Hasina.

“The statements are utterly false, baseless and contemptuous,” the tribunal said in its order. It added that the post was widely circulated on social media.

The tribunal observed that such remarks were “highly contemptuous” and could undermine the dignity of the judicial process, erode public confidence in the tribunal, and potentially threaten the security of judges and others concerned.

“We… direct the concerned authorities to have the said person and his accomplices -- as well as those who liked and shared the post and also made derogatory comments -- thereon arrested and produced before the tribunal as soon as possible,” the order said.

The tribunal also instructed authorities to seize the device used to publish the post and submit it before the court.

It further directed that the arrest warrant and a copy of the order be immediately sent to the inspector general of police for execution.

Following the order, a police team led by Special Investigation Officer and Prosecutor Tanvir Hassan Zoha conducted a raid in Dhaka's Uttara on Tuesday night.

However, the suspect could not be apprehended during the drive. Law enforcers seized a device believed to have been used to publish the Facebook post, Prosecutor Zoha told The Daily Star.