The Appellate Division has directed lawyers to strictly follow a High Court order not to hold any kind of gatherings on the Supreme Court premises.

The court also fixed October 19 for hearing a contempt petition filed against seven BNP lawyers, including former attorney general AJ Mohammad Ali, president of Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, passed the order on Wednesday.

Advocate Nahid Sultana Juthi appeared for the petitioner. Attorney General AM Amin Uddin represented the state.

In 2005, the High Court bench of Justice Abdul Matin and Justice AFM Abdur Rahman ordered lawyers not to rally at the Supreme Court.

On Tuesday, a contempt of court petition was filed against seven pro-BNP lawyers for holding a press conference and rally against two judges of the Appellate Division. 

Advocate Nahid Sultana Juthi filed the petition on behalf of Advocate Nazmul Huda.

The seven pro-BNP lawyers are Md Kayser Kamal, Abdul Jamil Mohammad Ali, Fahima Nasrin, Md Abdul Jabbar Bhuiyan, Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal, Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman Khan and Gazi Kamrul Islam Sajal.

Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum held multiple press conferences slamming the two judges of the Appellate Division for making statements referring to judges as sworn politicians under the Constitution during a discussion on August 15.

In addition, a program has been announced to demand the two judges not be allowed to conduct trials. 

BNP-backed lawyers have been rallying on the Supreme Court premises over the issue.