Law
week
Myanmar suspends exploration in Bay
Myanmar ships suspended oil and gas exploration activities inside Bangladesh maritime territory awaiting the outcome of a dialogue between Dhaka's special envoy and the Yangon authorities.
Bangladesh Navy has strengthened its position around the three Myanmar warships and four exploration vessels in the Bay-- 55 km southwest at 227 degrees from St Martin's Island. “The Navy has mobilised six ships, including a frigate and two missile launchers, at the spot. It is getting ready to face any situation using whatever resources in its possession,” said a defence source. “Navy officers and staffs have been put on high alert. They are virtually spending sleepless night.” -The Daily Star, November 06, 2008.
12 VIP prisoners faking sickness in hospital
The jail authorities have requested Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) to send back 12 high-profile prisoners for overstaying in its hospital with fake sickness.
Meanwhile, the jail authorities say they would go for punitive measures against former BNP lawmaker Mossadeq Ali Falu for cheating with them and the court by submitting a fake medical certificate. Jail sources say the division status of Falu might be cancelled and he be barred from meeting relatives for a certain period.
At present, 20 detained bigwigs are receiving 'treatment' at BSMMU alone. Around 100 high-profile corruption-suspects had treatment at the hospital. -The Daily Star, November 05, 2008.
ACC catches whole land office staff with bribes
They ride on the gravy train. For them, money comes in from both ends. It comes from the government, and it comes from those whose service they are meant to be at.
These are about the staff of Chikandondi land office in Hathazari upazila of Chittagong. An Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) team went there to probe a complaint against an official. But they found, to their surprise, all employees down to the rank of peon busy making quick bucks.
The anti-graft men found bundles of wads in everyone's pocket. Money was on floors, tables, and in a broken safe. Those detained in the drive said they give a slice of the bribes to the assistant commissioner (land) of Hathazari upazila. Last month, they sent him Tk 24,000 through his assistant. Despite repeated attempts, The Daily Star could not reach the AC land for comments. The seven-member team led by Assistant Director Ali Akbar seized over Tk 1.55 lakh that was taken in bribes yesterday alone. -The Daily Star, November 04, 2008.
Myanmar defies warnings
The government decided to send the foreign secretary to Myanmar as Myanmar continues to ignore Bangladesh's warnings against trespassing.
Hydrocarbon exploration vessels and two warships of Myanmar, which intruded into Bangladesh's territorial waters Saturday, are yet to be withdrawn. Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury summoned Myanmar Ambassador to Dhaka U Phae Thann Oo at the foreign ministry and conveyed the government's decision.
The foreign ministry also called the South Korean ambassador to Dhaka and asked him to withdraw the company working for Myanmar. The South Korean ships are now 50 nautical miles southwest of the St Martin's Island. Three Bangladesh Navy ships are confronting six ships sent by Myanmar, which deployed around 50 people for oil and gas exploration there. -The Daily Star, November 04, 2008.
Help try war criminals
The War Crimes Facts Finding Committee (WCFFC) in a letter to the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sought UN support for establishing an International Tribunal to try the war criminals of 1971.
Meanwhile, the Sector Commanders Forum (SCF) urged the government to formally seek UN assistance for trying the war criminals. WCFFC Convener Dr MA Hasan told The Daily Star that the UN secretary general has received the letter sent to him through UN Resident Coordinator Renata Lok Dessallien. Quoting Renata, Dr Hasan said they are following up the issue. -The Daily Star, November 03, 2008.
HC dismisses petitions against re-demarcation
The High Court (HC) declared valid the Election Commission (EC)'s re-demarcation of the parliamentary constituencies. The bench, comprised of Justice Mir Hasmat Ali and Justice Shamim Hasnain, also vacated an earlier stay on operation of the EC's gazette notification of the delimitation.
Later the same day an appeal was filed with the Supreme Court (SC) for a stay on the HC rulings that came in response to five writ petitions challenging the legality of the EC's gazette notification. Former BNP state minister MA Mannan, one of the writ petitioners, filed the appeal. His counsel Nasiruddin Ahmed Asim told reporters that they informed the EC of the appeal through a fax at 5:06pm. The commission should not announce the election schedule until its hearing that may be held Monday, he added. Earlier in the day, the commission withdrew its petition with the apex court for vacating the HC stay on its notification of the delineation. -The Daily Star, November 03, 2008.
Jamaat skips EC's war crime hearing
Jamaat opted to stay absent from a hearing in the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat, where a host of organisations and individuals submitted depositions and other documents proving the Islamist party's history of war crimes including genocide and rape.
The hearing was called by the EC after eleven organisations including many comprising families and friends of martyred freedom fighters and intellectuals, and veteran freedom fighters including sector commanders had earlier submitted official objections to Jamaat's possible registration as a parliamentary party. Jamaat's Legal Affairs Secretary Jashim Uddin Sarkar however submitted an application to the EC seeking a five-day deferment of the hearing prior to the beginning of it at 11:30am.
In the application the Islamist party, that had recently brought some changes to its constitution to get registered as a legitimate parliamentary political party, said, "For the sake of maintaining a pre-election congenial atmosphere we are not attending the hearing," and demanded immediate registration with the EC. -The Daily Star, November 02, 2008.
Falu's Fake Certificates
The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday summoned 11 doctors and the registrar of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) for signing a “false” medical certificate for detained former BNP lawmaker Mosaddek Ali Falu that earned him bail from the High Court (HC).
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has meanwhile made a move to appeal to the SC to vacate the bail and stay orders in four cases secured by Falu by submitting the “false medical report” -The Daily Star, November 02, 2008Falu's Fake Certificates
The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday summoned 11 doctors and the registrar of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) for signing a “false” medical certificate for detained former BNP lawmaker Mosaddek Ali Falu that earned him bail from the High Court (HC).
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has meanwhile made a move to appeal to the SC to vacate the bail and stay orders in four cases secured by Falu by submitting the “false medical report” -The Daily Star, November 07, 2008.
Corresponding with the Law Desk
Please send your mails, queries, and opinions to: Law Desk, The Daily Star 19 Karwan Bazar, Dhaka-1215; telephone 8124944,8124955,fax 8125155; email: dslawdesk@yahoo.co.uk,lawdesk@thedailystar.net
