Law
week
Govt strictly against it
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said if anyone of the country's law-enforcement agencies is found guilty of extra-judicial killings, they would be given stringent punishment. She made the remark when Human Rights Ambassadors of the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany--Arjan Hamburger, Amold de Fine Skibsted and Gunter Nooke--paid a courtesy call on her at her office. The envoys discussed human rights situation and parliamentary affairs among other matters of common interest during the meet. The PM told the ambassadors that everyone of the land has equal rights to get legal assistance and justice. -The Daily Star, Oct 15, 2009.
Bashundhara designs false case against two editors for arson
The Bashundhara Group lodged a general diary (GD) with the Tejgaon Police Station against eight people, including editors and publishers of the daily Prothom Alo and daily Samakal, and Transcom Group Chairman Latifur Rahman, on charge of arson. Chairman of the group Ahmed Akbar Sobhan tried all day to file a false case, alleging that the eight set fire to the Bashundhara shopping mall. But police refused to record the complaint as a case because the allegations were not found authentic. -The Daily Star, Oct 15, 2009.
2 cases against Tarique, Ershad to be dropped
The government decided to withdraw an extortion case against Senior Joint Secretary General of BNP Tarique Rahman, and a corruption case against Jatiya Party Chairman and former president HM Ershad for misuse of state power. The scrutiny committee formed for withdrawal of 'politically motivated' cases at its eighth meeting at the home ministry also recommended dropping 295 more cases against leaders of different political parties. The case against Ershad was filed by the now-defunct Bureau of Anti-Corruption on August 31, 1998. -The Daily Star, Oct 14, 2009.
Pasha shot dead Begum Mujib, Jamal, 2 in-laws
Quoting from a High Court (HC) verdict, Barrister Abdullah-al Mamun told the Supreme Court (SC) that Maj (retd) Aziz Pasha took a sten gun from the hands of Risaldar (retd) Moslemuddin and gunned down Begum Fajilatunnesa Mujib, wife of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on August 15, 1975. Aziz Pasha also killed Bangabandu's son Sheikh Jamal and two daughters-in-law, Mamun added. Sheikh Russell, youngest son of Bangabandhu, was brought down from upstairs to the ground floor of the Dhanmondi house, but then taken back to upstairs and killed on the order of Aziz Pasha, Mamun quoted from the verdict delivered by erstwhile HC Division Judge ABM Khairul Haque, who is now at the Appellate Division of SC. -The Daily Star, Oct 14, 2009.
Rid boss surrenders to court with HC shield
Rid Pharmaceuticals Limited Managing Director Mizanur Rahman surrendered before a Dhaka court and sought bail in a case filed for manufacturing toxic paracetamol syrup that claimed lives of at least 28 children across the country. The children died of renal failures, caused by intake of Rid's paracetamol syrup and suspension, from June to August. Judge ANM Bashir Ullah of the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's court fixed October 19 for hearing on the bail petition submitted by Mizanur in his presence. -The Daily Star, Oct 13, 2009.
AL lawmakers complain of rise in crime
A number of ruling Awami League (AL) lawmakers said criminal activities including killing, robbery and theft are increasing in their constituencies, and demanded setting up more police camps to improve the situation. In a scripted answer, Home Minister Sahara Khatun however informed the House that the law and order is under government control, and it is determined to ensure security of people's lives and properties. On curbing outlaws' activities, she said the government would soon implement its announcement that outlaws in south-western region of the country would be given a scope to surrender to the authorities and return to normal life. -The Daily Star, Oct 13, 2009.
Aide to Ctg MP's son freed on bail
The bodyguard of SM Al Mamun, son of Awami League lawmaker ABM Abul Kashem, was released on bail a few hours after his arrest in connection with the case filed for assaulting journalists. Sitakunda police arrested Mahmud Hasan Manna from Dhaka-Chittagong bus counter at Dampara in the city at around 1:15am after the lawmaker on Saturday apologised before the journalists for the attack. Manna got the bail following a prayer when he was produced before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate KM Shamsul Alam at about 12:00 noon. Earlier, two other accused--Golam Mostafa and Shahabuddin who were arrested in the case on Thursday night--were also freed on bail on Friday. -The Daily Star, Oct 12, 2009.
4 JMB men jailed
A court sentenced five years' rigorous imprisonment each to four members of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in an explosives case filed with the Cox's Bazar Police Station. The convicted were JMB Chittagong divisional chief Javed Iqbal alias Mohammad, its explosives expert Zahidul Islam alias Boma Mizan, Ayub Ali alias Abu Jar and Naimuzzaman alias Shohag. Judge Shafiqul Karim of Chittagong Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal also penalised each with a fine of Tk 5,000 in default of which they will have to suffer another year's imprisonment.
-The Daily Star, Oct 12, 2009.
Move on to clip ACC wings
The government plans to curb the Anti-Corruption Commission's mandate so it cannot act unilaterally to file graft cases against public officials, policymakers, lawmakers and local body representatives. The cabinet committee, formed in March to review the ACC act and recommend changes necessary to make the anti-graft body more effective and pro-people, has already drafted some proposals to that end and forwarded those to the commission for opinion. -The Daily Star, Oct 11, 2009.
Information Commission left out in the cold
The Information Commission formed more than three months ago is facing difficulties in enforcing the Right to Information (RTI) Act since it is yet to have a permanent office, required manpower and logistics. The government has not also framed rules necessary for proper implementation of the act that came into effect on 1 July to ensure people's access to information. Setting up of an information delivery unit in every government office and appointment of an officer to provide citizens with their required information are also going on at a slow pace. -The Daily Star, Oct 11, 2009.
Corresponding with the Law Desk
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