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personal appearance. “He has to appear and explain.”

The tribunal chairman added, “Earlier he was so interested, but now he is not. Just writing a letter is not enough.”

The court then examined Panna’s letter. Minutes later, the chairman asked the bench officer to call Panna, saying, “We will compel his attendance.” When the officer returned, two deputy registrars were sent to Panna’s chamber.

Panna eventually arrived in a wheelchair.

Justice Mortuza reminded him, “You showed interest in defending Sheikh Hasina, and we appointed you.”

Panna replied, “The tribunal ordered verbally, and I accepted verbally.” He said he was too unwell to appear earlier.

The tribunal noted that the charge hearing would now have to be re-heard once a new defence counsel is appointed. “You could have sent a representative,” the chairman said.

Referring to a video clip submitted to the tribunal, Justice Shofiul said Panna was heard saying, “My client, my leader, does not accept this trial, then how could I go?” He questioned why Panna sought appointment if his client has “no faith” in the tribunal.

Panna said he was “sandwiched” between pressure from both sides. Smiling, the chairman responded, “You are about to suffer a heart attack due to the pressure.”

Justice Mortuza said the tribunal issued multiple notices, but none had appeared, prompting them to appoint a senior lawyer. “We did not expect such behaviour from you.”

Panna offered an unconditional apology.

The tribunal then indicated that it intended to appoint lawyer Md Amir Hossain, who was present in the court, as the new defence counsel.

Amir, who previously served as state defence counsel for Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in another case, said he would follow the tribunal’s direction. The tribunal also asked other senior lawyers present whether they were interested.

At one stage, referring to Panna’s comment “my client does not accept the trial”, Tajul said it was contemptuous. He pointed out that although Panna withdrew from Hasina’s case, he continued representing BNP leader Fazlur Rahman in contempt proceedings. “It appears he considers the tribunal when he likes.”

Justice Shofiul responded that Panna had long been regarded as an “idol”, adding, “You cannot say: ‘My client does not recognise this tribunal, so I cannot go.’”

Justice Mortuza reminded him: “Once appointed, you cannot withdraw without the tribunal’s permission. You may criticise a judge or judgment, but you cannot disobey the tribunal.”

When Panna said his client demanded restoration of the 1972 constitution, the tribunal replied, “The constitution is there. No other constitution was formulated in 1990 or any other times.”

As Tajul rose to speak again, Panna asked why the prosecution was “jumping up”. “Mind your language,” Tajul shot back before the chairman intervened.

Tajul again referred to Panna’s recent social media remarks, and the tribunal chairman said, “We are ignoring whatever you have said. In future, don’t make such comments. People listen to the words of senior lawyers like you.”