ICT-BD [ICT-21] Miscellaneous Case No. 01 of 2014
Order: 02 December 2014
articles] – these are all reckless imputations against the
Tribunal.
(f) The contemnor instead of seeking unconditional apology
deliberately attempted to justify his reckless comments
claiming the same to be ‘fair’ and in the ‘interest of public’.
Reckless imputation negates “good faith” and ‘fairness’.
(g) The contemnor David Bergman is a ‘habitual contemnor’.
Earlier he was critically cautioned with observation, in a
contempt proceeding by the Tribunal-1. But he continued
criticizing the judicial process of the Tribunal in derogatory and
unfair manner that tends to demean the authority of the
Tribunal in the mind of public.
(h) The comments the contemnor made in the articles he posted
in his blog in fact were calculated to obstruct the due course of
justice and the authority of the Tribunal as well. It is immaterial
to prove or whether the alleged comments obstructed the
administration of justice. In this regard, the learned counsel
however relied upon the decision of Indian Supreme Court in
the case of Arundhati case (2002) 3 SCC 343) Para 21and
also the observation made in the case Riaz Uddin
of the
Appellate Division of Bangladesh Supreme Court, para 61 of
the judgment.
IV. Deliberation and Finding on some issues
(i) Tribunal: Is it a ‘court of record’
19. We do not agree with the submission made on part of the learned
counsel defending the contemnor that the ‘Tribunal’ is not a court of
record’. The statute itself empowers the Tribunal to punish for
contemptible act by drawing proceeding [section 11(4) of the Act of
1973].
20. Peacock, C.J. in Re. Abdool, 8 WR Cr 31 observed:
"There can be no doubt that every Court of Record has the
power of summarily punishing the contempt"
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