Masdar’s law license suspended temporarily

The Bangladesh Bar Council has temporarily suspended the law licence of Masdar Hossain, a former district judge and Supreme Court advocate, following allegations of financial misconduct involving a client.

The ex-judge, widely known for his involvement in the landmark “Secretary, Ministry of Finance v Masdar Hossain” case concerning the separation of the judiciary from the executive, has been accused of embezzling Tk 12.5 million from a client. The Bar Council also issued a notice asking him to explain within 15 days why his licence should not be permanently revoked.

According to a press release issued after an emergency meeting of the Bangladesh Bar Council, the regulatory body for lawyers, the decision was taken unanimously after “initial evidence was found” regarding the allegations.

The council said it took note of a report published in the daily Kalbela, which claimed that Masdar Hossain had admitted to the embezzlement.

The meeting considered the matter seriously in terms of professional ethics and alleged misconduct.It stated that the suspension was imposed based on preliminary evidence and the seriousness of the allegations, and will remain in effect until the case is finally resolved.

Masdar Hossain has denied the accusations, claiming that a group has intentionally spread misleading and exaggerated information to defame him.

A retired senior district and sessions judge, Masdar Hossain previously served as secretary general of the BCS Judicial Association in 1995. He later filed a case with fellow judges that became a landmark in establishing the separation of the judiciary from the executive.

After retiring from the bench, he resumed legal practice and also served as a member of the Judicial Reform Commission formed during the interim government.