A parliamentary body will seek the chief justice's attention for an "amicable" and "fair” solution to the widespread controversy over the remark of High Court Judge Nozrul Islam Chowdhury.

The parliamentary standing SEE PAGE 15 COL 7

committee on law, justice and parliamentary affairs ministry yesterday decided to dissuade lawmakers from raising the issue in the upcoming parliament session to prevent the situation from getting worse.

Justice Nozrul at a meting on December 19 said, "It is not much difficult to make laws in parliament. Clerks draft the laws and the parliament members pass them with applause without knowing anything about them. Most of them even do not read the drafts."

His remark drew sharp criticism the next day. State Minister for Law Quamrul Islam protested the remark and said he would file complaints with the Supreme Judicial Council against the judge.

He also said a censure motion would be placed in parliament overthematter.

Law Minister Shafique Ahmed on December 21 said Justice Nozrul might have made the comment on lawmakers because of his ignorance about theprocessofenactinglaws.

"We have decided to send the matterto the chiefjustice through the Supreme Court registrar. We hope the chief justice will give an amicable and acceptable solution,'' committee Chief Suranjit Sengupta told a press briefing after a meeting at the Jatiya SangsadBhaban.

Committee member Abdul Matin Khasru told The Daily Star, "We want a proper solution and wish that everyone will show selfrestraint while making comment onanyorganofthe state."

The committee asked the government not to appoint a new law secretary before going through the Supreme Court verdict that declared illegal the appointment of Kazi Habibul Awal as lawsecretary.

"The law secretary will be appointed in line with the Supreme Court verdict. We are now waiting for the copy of the verdict," the committee chief said.