Breaking with tradition, the Supreme Court Bar Association yesterday did not exchange autumn greetings with the judges to protest the death of lawyer MU Ahmed.

Dominated by pro-BNP lawyers, the association on September 26 decided not to greet the judges on return from the autumn vacation.

Lawyers loyal to the ruling Awami League, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam and other senior advocates, however, greeted the judges at the SC Judges' Lounge.

Pro-opposition lawyers brought out a procession and hoisted black flags on the SC premises.

At an emergency meeting, SCBA decided to take action against those who greeted the judges in defiance of its decision.

Its President Khandker Mahbub Hossain said MU Ahmed would not have died "because of torture in police custody" if he had been granted anticipatory bail in the case filed for assault on the police and obstruction to duties.

“The High Court and its judges must shoulder the responsibility for his death,” he added.

Mahbub said the association would render the HC dysfunctional if the benches are not reformed soon.

“We have repeatedly demanded the chief justice reform the High Court benches with experienced judges. We hope he does that after administering oath to the six newly appointed

judges,” he added.

The SCBA also urged the chief justice to withdraw the judicial power of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and take action against him for his recent comment over MU Ahmed's death.

It alleges Justice Shamsuddin has violated the code of conduct for the judges by commenting that “Ahmed's death was normal". The judge made the comment atatalk show in London.

Meanwhile, briefing the press at his office, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said the pro-BNP lawyers refrained from exchanging customary greetings with the judges for political gains.

About the allegation against Justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury, Mahbubey Alam said he was not aware of the matter.

The character of the talk show he (Justice Chowdhury) participated in would determine if he had breached the code of conduct, the attorney general added.