Law
week
12 to die for killing Bangabandhu, family
The Supreme Court on upheld the High Court verdict that confirmed death sentences of 12 retired and dismissed army men in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mijubur Rahman assassination case. The five-member bench comprising Justice Md Tafazzul Islam, Justice Md Abdul Aziz, Justice BK Das, Justice Md Muzammel Hossain, and Justice SK Sinha delivered the verdict dismissing the appeals filed by five convicts against their death sentences in this case. In his immediate reaction to the justice, chief counsel for the state Anisul Huq told The Daily Star, "The nation has got the justice." - The Daily Star, November 19, 2008.
Security tightened around SC
The government has deployed several hundred law enforcers on and around the Supreme Court premises to effect foolproof security for the historic judgment proceedings at the Appellate Division. Close-circuit cameras have been installed at different corners. From two monitoring rooms set up at the entrances to the apex court, security personnel are keeping a close watch on the movement of the people. A five-member special bench that has heard for 29 days the appeals by five death-row convicts in Bangabandhu murder case is scheduled to start reading out the long-awaited judgment at 11:00am at Court No.1. - The Daily Star, November 19, 2008.
Explain 'crossfire' in 48 hours
The High Court issued a suo moto rule asking the government to explain extra-judicial killings within 48 hours. Home Minister Sahara Khatun however claimed that no such killings are being carried out in the country. "We are not carrying out any crossfire right now. No such incident has taken place since our government assumed office," she told journalists after a special meeting on law and order at the home ministry. The High Court bench of Justice AFM Abdur Rahman and Justice Md Emdadul Haque Azad issued the rule following a newspaper report on the killings. - The Daily Star, November 18, 2008.
Govt asked not to pay Niko
The High Court in a verdict directed the government to refrain from making any payment to Niko, a Canadian oil and gas exploration company in Bangladesh, which probe bodies found responsible for the damage of Tengratila gas field in Chhatak. As per the HC verdict, the government cannot make any payment to Niko until the case, filed by the government seeking compensation for the damage, is settled or any agreement is made between both parties in connection with the compensation.
- The Daily Star, November 18, 2008.
River grabbing goes unabated
The High Court has issued several directives to free four Dhaka rivers from encroachment and pollution. The government too has declared a war against the grabbers, cancelling all riverbank leases. But nothing could stop these river grabbers who by their covetous acts are nearly blocking the arteries of Dhaka. They seem unstoppable. Restaurants frequented by dating couples are now sprouting up by Turag River adding to the nuisance.
- The Daily Star, November 17, 2008.
HC asks govt to report its actions
The High Court (HC) asked the government to submit by December 12 the actions taken following recommendations by the designated commission on giving autonomy to state-run Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television (BTV). The previous Awami League government had constituted the 16-member 'Commission for Framing Rules and Regulations for the Autonomy of Bangladesh Television (Radio-TV Autonomy Commission)' in September 1996. - The Daily Star, November 17, 2008.
Police inaction irks court
A Dhaka court asked the officer-in-charge of Brahmanbaria Sadar police station to appear before it in person by January 5 next year to explain his failure to submit reports on execution of property attachment of three defendants in a case against Rid Pharmaceutical. On October 14 this year, the court ordered the attachment of movable and immovable properties of five Rid officials -- Managing Director Mizanur Rahman, directors Sheuli Rahman and Abdul Gani, and pharmacists Mahbubul Islam and Enamul Haque -- in the case filed against them for manufacturing toxic paracetamol syrup that claimed the lives of at least 28 children. - The Daily Star, November 16, 2008.
6 special courts set up for trial
BDR headquarters constituted six special courts, two of them in Dhaka, as per the Bangladesh Rifles Order 1972 to initiate trials of the February 25-26 mutineers. The BDR director general will head each of the three-member courts that will have a lieutenant colonel and a major as the two other members, says a BDR press release. Lawyers nominated by the attorney general will assist the special courts, which will only conduct mutiny trial, the release says. The courts will be set up at the scenes of occurrence or near them for the benefit of conducting the trial, says the BDR press release. - The Daily Star, November 16. 2008.
EU not happy with rights records
The European Union might intervene to prevent human rights violations in Bangladesh unless the scenario improves, head of the delegation of European Commission to Bangladesh Stefan Frowein said. "If need be, we will intervene through dialogues and diplomatic means to defend human rights,” he said at a national advocacy meeting organised by rights group Odhikar in the city. “However, we would like the Bangladesh government to address the issue at national level," he said. Frowein said that extra-judicial killings, torture in custody, cruelty, inhuman and degrading treatment are just unacceptable and no one should be subjected to any of those abuses. - The Daily Star, November 15, 2008.
Dubious deposits for 'destitute'
The lawmaker of Netrakona-1 constituency has reportedly been realising huge amounts of money from local contractors, coal importers, dealers in white clay, two sub-registry offices and market lessees in the name of an unregistered destitute welfare fund. Locals and sources at the LGED and the Roads and Highways Department said all contractors have to pay lawmaker Mostaque Ahmed Ruhi one percent of the money they draw against any work. Requesting anonymity, coal importers of Bijoypur LC station alleged that they have to contribute Tk 1,000 to the destitute welfare fund against each letter of credit. - The Daily Star, November 15, 2008.
Corresponding with the Law Desk
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