Dhaka: Denouncing the MPs' 'derogatory' remarks about the apex court, Chief Justice and senior lawyers following the Appellate Division verdict declaring illegal the 16th Amendment to the Constitution, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Tuesday demanded that those be withdrawn.

The SCBA which was largely controlled by the pro-BNP lawyers, made the demand at a press conference under the banner of SCBA at its auditorium.

SCBA President Zainul Abedin said the MPs apparently humiliated the Constitution through venting their anger at the Supreme Court verdict over the 16thamendment. "They made disparaging remarks on veteran jurists Dr Kamal Hossain and Barrister Amir-Ul-Islam. Even the MPs criticised Chief Justice SK Sinha which are tantamount to contempt of court," he said.

Zaiul urged the Speaker to withdraw the statements.

SCBA General Secretary Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon was present.

Meanwhile, pro-Awami League lawyers of the SCBA executive committee, led by its senior vice-president Ozi Ullah, arranged a counter-press conference at the same venue later.

The press conference of the SCBA president and general secretary was politically motivated, Ozi Ullah said. "Such a press conference will create confusions about government's attitude about the judiciary."

Mentioning that no discussion took place in Parliament on the issue during the hearing on the amendment, he said, "This means Parliament didn't interfere in the independence of the judiciary."

On July 3, a seven-member SC bench, headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, upheld the High Court verdict that declared illegal the 16th amendment to the Constitution establishing Parliament's authority to remove Supreme Court judges.

Following the verdict, MPs from Awami League, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and Jatiya Party came down heavily in Parliament on the SC verdict on July 9.

The MPs also criticised the Chief Justice and amica curiae appointed by the court for their opinions on the amendment.