Z.I. Khan Panna stands as one of Bangladesh’s most resolute human rights defenders and senior advocates of the Supreme Court. Throughout his decades-long career, he has consistently championed the rule of law, civil liberties, and the protection of marginalized communities.
Professional Career and Legal Advocacy
Panna practices as a Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. He centers his legal work on constitutional law and public interest litigation (PIL). He frequently challenges executive overreach and seeks judicial intervention to protect citizens from extrajudicial actions and arbitrary arrests.
He leads several prominent legal and human rights organizations, most notably:
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Bangladesh Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK): He serves as the Chairperson of this leading legal aid and human rights organization.
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Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council: He actively advocates for the rights of religious minorities through his involvement with this council.
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Supreme Court Bar Association: He maintains an influential presence in bar politics, often rallying lawyers to defend the independence of the judiciary.
Human Rights Activism
Panna translates his legal expertise into grassroots activism. He consistently voices opposition against restrictive laws, such as the Digital Security Act (and its successors), arguing that they stifle freedom of expression. During times of political unrest, he often provides pro bono legal support to students, activists, and journalists facing harassment.
His commitment to justice extends beyond political boundaries. He focuses on:
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Investigating extrajudicial killings: He persistently demands accountability for enforced disappearances and custodial deaths.
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Rights of Minorities: He provides a legal shield for vulnerable groups facing land grabbing or communal violence.
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Gender Justice: He supports legal reforms aimed at curbing domestic violence and ensuring inheritance rights for women.
Legacy and Influence
Z.I. Khan Panna earns respect across the political spectrum for his courage. Even in a highly polarized legal environment, he maintains a reputation for speaking truth to power. His work ensures that human rights remain a central pillar of the Bangladeshi legal discourse, inspiring a younger generation of “people’s lawyers” to prioritize social justice over commercial practice.
Landmark Cases and Legal Advocacy
Panna uses the courtroom as an instrument of accountability, filing petition after petition against state impunity.
In one of his most consequential interventions, he files a writ petition on June 14, 2012, challenging the Indemnity Act passed by the BNP-Jamaat alliance government to shield military personnel who carried out Operation Clean Heart. The High Court subsequently scraps the Joint Drive Indemnity Act 2003, finding that the law providing indemnity to security force personnel violates the constitution, and rules that any aggrieved person or victim of the operation can seek compensation from the government.
In 2005, he files a petition on behalf of the Bangladesh Bar Council asking the government to explain its failure to arrest those involved in bombing a court on 17 August.
In November 2014, he serves legal notices to three ministers — Mosharraf Hossain, Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, and Zahid Maleque — demanding their resignation on the grounds that they hold for-profit offices while serving as ministers, in violation of the constitution of Bangladesh.
In 2020, he files a petition seeking a ban on the sale of weapons from Bangladesh’s Liberation War, and calls for investigation of attacks on religious minorities in Bangladesh.
In November 2021, he criticises the verdict in the rain tree rape case against the son of the owner of Apan Jewellers, arguing it was wrong for the judge to instruct police not to accept rape complaints more than 72 hours after an incident.
In 2022, he represents a Canadian citizen forcefully confined by her parents in their Dhaka residence.
In January 2023, he files a petition at the Bangladesh High Court on behalf of Ain O Salish Kendra, seeking an end to sexual harassment at educational institutions across Bangladesh.
Ain O Salish Kendra and Institutional Work
As chairman of Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), Panna steers one of the country’s most respected human rights and legal aid organisations. Throughout his tenure, he speaks vocally against the Digital Security Act, human rights abuses, and infringements on freedom of speech. He consistently raises his voice for the marginalised and remains a revered figure for his unwavering commitment to justice for ordinary people, speaking out during every government’s tenure.
Standing with the July 2024 Student Movement
When the anti-discrimination student movement erupts in July 2024, Panna immediately throws his legal weight behind the protesters. He stands among the Supreme Court lawyers who file a writ petition at the High Court on July 29, seeking orders to stop the use of bullets on protesters during the anti-discrimination student movement. He also joins the National Mass Inquiry Commission, a body formed by noted citizens on July 29 to probe gross violations of laws, human rights, and loss of lives during the student-led mass protests.
In October 2024, authorities name him as the 94th accused in a fabricated attempted murder case. Panna responds defiantly from the Supreme Court premises after securing bail: “These cases won’t silence me. Even if my dead body lies here, they can’t stifle my conscience. Mind it, I am a freedom fighter.”
Physical Attack and Unwavering Courage
In March 2018, unknown individuals attack Panna on the University of Dhaka campus. The assault fails to deter him. He continues his advocacy, remarking publicly that he leads an “extended life” since surviving 1971, and that he will not silence his voice or conscience against injustice.
Preserving the Legacy of 1971
In August 2025, Panna co-founds Mancha 71, a civic platform formed through an alliance of freedom fighters, youth leaders, and student representatives, aimed at safeguarding the dignity of war veterans and countering the distortion of Bangladesh’s Liberation War history. The platform declares a five-point demand, including rejecting distortions of the 1971 war, protecting freedom fighters from collective blame, and treating disrespect toward the Liberation War as an act of treason.
Key Roles and Affiliations
| Position | Organization |
| Senior Advocate | Supreme Court of Bangladesh |
| Chairperson | Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) |
| Member | Bangladesh Bar Council (Former) |
| Convener | United Forum against Communalism and Zealotry |
About the Author
