Chief Justice may go abroad tonight

Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha may go abroad tonight as the law ministry issued a gazette notification on the government’s clearance for his overseas trip.

The gazette notification came on Thursday following President Abdul Hamid’s consent to Sinha’s foreign visit on Wednesday night.

Sources in the law ministry said Chief Justice SK Sinha is now free to go abroad anytime he likes.

It is learnt that Sinha along with his wife will go to Australia tonight and return home on November 10. The couple will meet their elder daughter in Australia.

They will also visit three other countries — Canada, USA and UK.

Meanwhile, the President approved an extension of Sinha’s leave till November 10 following the latter’s desire on Wednesday night.

The law ministry on Thursday issued a circular, mentioning that President Abdul Hamid exercising his power vested by Article 97 of the Constitution entrusted senior most Justice of the Supreme Court Md Abdul Wahhab Miah with all responsibilities of Sinha until his return.

Law and Justice Division Secretary Abu Saleh Sheikh Md Zahirul Haque signed the notice.

Law Minister Anisul Huq at a function in a city hotel said Chief Justice SK Sinha may go abroad on Friday and he is scheduled to visit Australia, Canada, USA and UK during his leave.

He urged all not to do politics with the CJ’s leave.

Anisul Huq also told reporters that Chief Justice needs to go abroad for better treatment of cancer.

The purpose of going abroad is to visit his elder daughter and receive medical treatment as Sinha is reportedly suffering from cancer and other ailments.

Amid criticism for his derogatory comment on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Chief Justice SK Sinha went on leave for one month with effect from October 3. Later, he wanted his leave to be extended.

Opposition BNP alleged that the government has sent Chief Justice SK Sinha on forced leave for his comment about Bangabandhu. The ruling camp, however, dismissed the claim.

Sinha went to the Australian embassy in Dhaka on October 5 and obtained visa. The same evening, he along with his wife went to the national temple to offer prayers.

Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi paid a visit to Sinha’s official residence at Hare Road on October 6. He held a meeting with him. 

Eanwhile, dubious bank transactions and taking government plots through forgery by Sinha have been reported. Many think in this situation the CJ’s going abroad bears some significance.

Chief Justice SK Sinha will go into retirement in February, 2018.

Source: dailysun