Bangladesh’s chief justice has been accused of serious crimes including corruption by the country’s government, it emerged Saturday, as he departed for Australia expressing his fears for judicial independence in the nation.

The accusations against Surendra Kumar Sinha follow widespread speculation that he had come under pressure to take leave over a landmark verdict delivered by his court that went against the government in August.

The graft allegations emerged in a rare statement from Sinha’s own Supreme Court on Saturday, which said other top judges have refused to sit with him at the top bench after he was accused of serious crimes such as graft.