BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that the country is gripped with what he described as a judicial anarchy.

"The entire nation was shocked to hear the verdict that a Pabna court handed down on Wednesday centring an incident that occurred back in 1994 at Ishwardi Rail Station," he said.

Speaking at a discussion event, he said, "What type of judgment was it? Nine people were sentenced to death while 25 others were handed down life in prison in connection with the incident. It's a tyranny, as a judicial anarchy is sweeping across the country."

Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), a pro-BNP platform of physicians, arranged the program at the Jatiya Press Club, demanding the release of Khaleda Zia from jail, reports UNB.

Pabna Additional District and Sessions Judge Rustom Ali on Wednesday sentenced nine BNP activists to death and jailed 25 others for life, for attacking a train carrying the then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina in 1994.

The district court also sentenced 13 others to 10 years jail terms.

A Rajshahi-bound train carrying Sheikh Hasina was attacked at Pakshi rail station on September 23, 1994. The attackers fired shots, and hurled bombs at the train.

Reacting to the verdict, Mirza Fakhrul said, they are very disappointed, and upset by the court order.

"This verdict has laid bare that the judiciary in Bangladesh has no independence," he observed.

The BNP leader said the government is trying to turn Bangladesh into a failed-state by destroying all the institutions, and putting the economy at serious risk.

He said the country's election system has also been destroyed while people have lost their confidence in the Election Commission (EC.)

Voicing concern over deteriorating law and order situation in the country, Mirza Fakhrul said a deputy inspector general of police (DIG) bribed the Anti-Corruption Commission, while Sonagazi police station officer-in-charge (OC) posted an illicit video of a sexually tormented madrasah girl Nusrat Jahan Rafi on the social media.

He alleged that the law enforcers now do not care about anyone, because they have no accountability.

"How will a state survive when its judiciary, law enforcers, and bureaucracy have been destroyed, and the media are regulated?,” questioned Fakhrul.

Deshsangbad/fh/mmh