DHAKA, Dec 7: The Supreme Judicial Council, comprising Chief Justice K.M. Hasan, Justice M. Ruhul Amin and Justice Mohammad Fazlul Karim, on Saturday started in-camera proceedings of its inquiry into the alleged misconduct of Justice Syed Shahidur Rahman, an additional judge of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court.

The council, in its first sitting on November 9, opted for the closed-door proceedings and the order was read out in its Saturday meeting asking all parties to the matter to keep the proceedings secret.

It was learnt that the order was read out after Justice Rahman had drawn attention of the council to reports published in several newspapers.

Justice Rahman and Barrister Rokonuddin Mahmood, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, who levelled the allegations, were present in the meeting.

After the 75-minute proceedings, Mahmood refused to disclose anything of the proceedings. He told reporters, “My lips have been sealed by the council, as it has ordered in-camera proceedings.”