Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

1. Chief Prosecutor vs Salauddin Quader Chowdhury: Applications and Cancellation of Current Counsel’s Appointment  (Accused Present)
2. Chief Prosecutor vs Gholam Azam – request for adjournment (Accused not Present)

Chief Prosecutor vs. Chowdhury
On January 30, 2013 the Tribunal passed an order rejecting Salauddin Qader Chowdhury’s application for permission to be allowed to attend a session of Parliament. Defense counsel then filed an application under Section 7 of the Members Privilege Act of 1965, seeking adjournment of the case until the conclusion of the current session of Parliament. The Tribunal rejected the application. The Tribunal similarly rejected an application from the Defense requesting public trial. Senior Defense counsel Ahsanul Huq Hena wished to file a review application and requested adjournment of the proceedings until the review was disposed of. However, the Tribunal refused to adjourn the proceedings for the review application.

Thereafter, Salauddin Qader Chowdhury filed an application requesting that the appointment of his engaged lawyers be temporarily canceled, and that they be reappointed again once the privilege period is over. The Tribunal accepted his request and stated that the Tribunal would appoint a Defense counsel to continue the proceedings under section 12 of the ICT Act of 1973.

The court then withdrew to chambers so that the Prosecution could continue its examination of prosecution witness 17 in-camera and fixed tomorrow for cross- examination.

Chief Prosecutor vs. Gholam Azam
Today the Defense for Gholam Azam filed an application for adjournment for one day. The Tribunal granted the request.