The High Court on Tuesday returned the anticipatory bail petition filed by former attorney general AM Amin Uddin in three cases, amid protests by pro-Bangladesh Nationalist Party lawyers on the court premises.

A High Court bench of Justice Md Iqbal Kabir and Justice Md Toufiq Anam  Tipu was set to hear the petitions.

Amin Uddin’s lawyer, Minhazul Hoque Chowdhury, told New Age that the petitions were withdrawn due to fears of unrest and strong opposition from state law officers, including additional attorney general Aneek R Haque.

Aneek opposed the hearing, arguing that the court should not make exceptions when anticipatory bail petitions were not being regularly heard.

In response, Minhazul said the court had considered the matter as Amin Uddin is an officer of the court and a former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association.

Following the exchanges, the defence withdrew the petitions.

Meanwhile, pro-BNP lawyers, led by Gazi Kamrul Islam Sajal, president of the Supreme Court unit of the Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum, staged demonstrations outside the courtroom. They protested against what they alleged was an attempt by pro-Awami League lawyers to influence court proceedings and secure bail.

Amin Uddin had sought anticipatory bail in three cases, including one filed over a killing during the anti-discrimination movement in Jatrabari.

According to court documents, one of the cases relates to alleged irregularities in the September 25, 2024 election of the Supreme Court Bar Association. The case was filed by lawyer ABM Ibrahim Khalil against Amin Uddin and 39 others.

The other accused include former law minister Anisul Huq, barrister Fazle Noor Taposh, and several lawyers and police officials.

The complaint stated that on March 15, 2019, a group of lawyers, along with activists and police members, took control of the Supreme Court Bar Association auditorium, forced lawyers out, and disrupted the electoral process.

It further alleges that fake ballots were used and 14 candidates were declared elected through a fraudulent process, undermining the integrity of the election.