A section of BNP-aligned lawyers today (2 August) staged a demonstration in front of the Attorney General’s Office, alleging irregularities and financial transactions in the recent appointment of 86 deputy attorneys general and 179 assistant attorneys general.
The protesters demanded cancellation of the appointments and called for the recruitment of lawyers whom they said had actively participated in the BNP’s political movement and the Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum.
Former deputy attorney general Ashikuzzaman Nazrul alleged that “crores of taka” had been exchanged in the recruitment process and claimed many of those appointed had no previous involvement with the BNP or its affiliated lawyers’ organisation.
Former deputy attorney general Masud Rana, who was not reappointed, also questioned the transparency of the selection process.
The protest came on the first working day after the government appointed 265 law officers on 30 July, replacing the previous panel.
Responding to the allegations, Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal said any claims of financial irregularities should be investigated if supported by specific evidence but criticised what he described as baseless allegations.
He said he was not the appointing authority and suggested that dissatisfaction among those who were not reappointed may have contributed to the protests.
Kazal also noted that the previous interim government had appointed 337 law officers, while the current government reduced the number to meet its requirements.
He added that around 80% of the newly appointed assistant attorneys general had served in the previous panel.
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