Chief Justice: Protests cannot change verdicts, only courts can

Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan on Wednesday said students demanding quota reform should present their arguments in court instead of holding demonstration on the street.

He said: "The way students' protests cannot be appreciated. The High Court has given a verdict, and whether it is correct is for the Appellate Division to decide. The Appellate Division can overturn, modify, or uphold the High Court's verdict. Students should present their arguments in court, which is the proper forum.

"Protests can not change verdicts. Only courts can change verdicts," he added.

During this time, the chief justice thanked the two students who brought the appeal to the Appellate Division and their lawyer Shah Manjurul Haque.

The chief justice said while issuing a status quo of four weeks on the subject matter regarding quotas in government jobs and the High Court judgement.

Mentioning that students are being constantly provoked to protest, he said that while students may protest knowingly or unknowingly due to grievances, those responsible for guiding them are failing in their duties.

Criticizing television talk show panellists, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan said: "It seems as if no one is wiser than the talk show panellists. We, as judges, apparently know nothing."

The Appellate Division urged protesting students to return to their classes and expressed hope that university authorities would ensure a proper educational environment. The court stated that students wishing to join the case could do so through a lawyer and their statements will be heard during the hearings.

Meanwhile, the Appellate Division issued a four-week stay order on the High Court's verdict declaring the abolition of the freedom fighter quota system illegal, asking the state and students to file a leave to appeal against the verdict.

On Wednesday, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court issued a status quo of four weeks on the subject matter regarding quota in government jobs and the High Court judgement, instructing protesting students to return to their classes and attend their exams.

The five-member Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, passed the order around 11:45am on Wednesday.