Law
week
Proposed contempt law not approved
The cabinet at a regular meeting discussed a draft new law to replace the outmoded Contempt of Court Act, but did not approve it. Law Minister Moudud Ahmed told the news agency the draft needs "further scrutiny" by his ministry. He did not say whether the draft law will be placed at the next cabinet meeting. The existing contempt of court law was formulated way back in 1926, and lost much of its relevance in the changed situation. -July 19, UNB, Dhaka.
HC rule upon EC to collect info on candidates' income source
The High Court (HC) issued a rule upon the Election Commission (EC) to show cause why it (EC) should not be directed to compel the candidates of Sunamganj-3 by-election to furnish information about their sources of income. The HC also ordered the EC to explain why it should not be directed to properly implement the eight-point directives the court had given earlier.
The rule issued by a bench comprising Justice MA Matin and Justice Mamnoon Rahman is returnable within two weeks. The HC directives came upon a writ petition filed as a public interest litigation by five citizens including Badiul Alam Majumder and Syed Abul Maksud of Sushasaner Jonno Nagorik (SUJAN). The Election Commission (EC), chief election commissioner (CEC), returning officer (RO) and nine candidates contesting the Sunamganj-3 by-election scheduled for tomorrow have been made respondents. -July 19, BD News Dhaka.
Court warns ex-DIG's wife for filing false case
A Dhaka court has warned wife of a former deputy inspector general (DIG) of police, who filed a case accusing a doctor couple of torturing a domestic help, not to harass any other citizens by filing cases. Judge Monowara Begum of the Second Special Tribunal for Prevention of Women and Children Repression issued the order on Monday, clearing Dr Mahbubur Rahman and his wife Dr Begum Ferdousi of the charge and warning the complainant, Anwara Rahman, wife of DIG Anisur Rahman. The court's warning came after the charge against the couple was found false. Anwara Rahman filed the case against Dr Rahman and his wife Ferdousi on April 18 for torturing 11-year-old Nasrin Akhter.
Uttara police arrested the two the same day immediately after Anwara, landlord of the couple, filed the case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. After an investigation, the investigation officer (IO) found the charge to be grounded in falsehood and submitted final report to the court, praying for acquittal of the doctors. -July 20, The Daily Star.
SC clears way for election Prayer against HC order rejected
The Supreme Court (SC) rejected a prayer for appeal against a High Court order that upheld the 14th amendment to the constitution providing for 45 reserved seats for women in parliament and the law for their indirect election.
The Appellate Division decision enables the government now to take initiative for holding the election, dashing the hope of the women organisations and rights bodies who have been staging countrywide protest against the provision. The full bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Syed JR Mudassir Husain rejected the leave to appeal petition after hearing both sides, clearing the way for holding the election to the women reserved seats in due time.
The law ministry will send a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner today for initiating the process of the election, Law Minister Moudud Ahmed told reporters after the SC verdict. "Now there is no obstacle to holding the election," said the minister. Counsels of the petitioners, meanwhile, said they would file a petition with the SC to review the rejection order.
Parliament passed the 14th amendment in May last year and enacted the law on November 29 which was gazetted on December 8. - July 20, The Daily Star.
CCTV at public places to check terrorism
Closed-circuit televisions (CCTV) will be installed at large public places, hospitals, banks and key-point installations (KPIs) in a month to monitor public movement as the government fears subversive activities following July 11 bomb attacks in London.
"It was the CCTV that helped the British authorities to identify the people who are believed to have carried out the bomb attacks in London. Since we cannot brush aside the possibility of similar incident here too, we've decided to set up CCTV in Bangladesh," State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar said yesterday.
In the wake of steep slide in law and order, a home ministry meeting yesterday also ordered to form a databank of bombers, car-lifters and other criminals, amend traffic rules, initiate river patrol at Ashulia amusement area and intensify activities of mobile courts and police checking in the city.
The ministry also formed a committee to investigate the alleged extortion by a policeman in Mirpur and rewarded 10 Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) officials and 42 policemen for their performance.
"We are requesting authorities of the private organisations to set up CCTV at their respective institutions," the state minister told reporters after the meeting held at the home ministry. Deputy commissioners (crime) of police and Rab officials will sit with the owners of private institutions to ensure that CCTV is installed at their organisations. The government, meanwhile, will set up CCTV at public institutions. - The Daily Star, July 22.
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