Chief Justice Syed JR Mudassir Husain however avoided any encounter with the demonstrators by entering his office an hour before the sit-in.

The protesting lawyers warned that if the chief justice continued to allow Faizee to conduct judicial work, the SCBA would organise a sit-in in front of the chief justice's courtroom, then go for hunger strike and even boycotting his court.

During the demonstration, the lawyers also said, if necessary, they will demand resignation of the chief justice. They accused the chief justice of violating his oath and obliging the government.

About 150 lawyers gathered at the Supreme Court building gate at 8.15am and joined a protest rally chaired by SCBA President Mahbubey Alam.

Speaking at the rally, Alam said they have requested the chief justice not to assign Faizee to any bench but he [chief justice] did not respond to their demand.

"The chief justice has two options -- as the chief of the judiciary and protector of constitution, he can refrain from designating any bench for Faizee or sacrifice himself by putting Faizee in the seat of god," Alam added.

He urged the chief justice not to make himself controversial for a person like Faizee.

Former SCBA president Ozaer Faruk said, "We are protesting the activities of chief justice…If you [chief justice] think our demonstration is meaningless, ask Faizee to show his original LLB certificate."

Bar Council member Sahara Khatun told the rally, "We are preparing to file a criminal case against Faizee for lying about his age."

SCBA former vice president Sirajul Haq noted, "The chief justice is still trying to protect Faizee. It seems that he is acting as per the directives of [prime minister] Khaleda Zia, [law minister] Moudud or the government."

The demonstration was participated, among others, by SCBA Secretary Enayetur Rahim, barrister Shawkat Ali Khan, Abdul Halim, Mohammad Israfil and Abdus Salam Mondol.

After the sit-in, the lawyers brought out a procession that marched on the Supreme Court premises chanting slogans like: "Our demand is one: thief Faizee's resignation!" "Khaleda Zia's blessing: Faizee's fake certificate!"

Meanwhile, pro-government Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum's General Secretary Jainul Abedin told the press, "The SCBA movement is a political one. They [protesting lawyers] are using the forum politically. As per the constitution, the chief justice can not deny a judge any bench."

"The cancellation of Faizee's certificate at the Bar Council was the result of personal conflict," Abedin claimed. "If anyone has anything to say against a sitting judge, there is a forum called the Supreme Judicial Council. They can go there."