Law Week
Govt asked to explain failure to stop fatwa
The High Court yesterday ordered district officials in Shariatpur to explain why they failed to protect 14-year-old rape victim Hena from being whipped to death as per a fatwa on Monday. The deputy commissioner, the superintendent of police of Shariatpur and the thana nirbahi officer of Naria upazila -- where the incident took place--will have to report to the HC in 15 days how it happened although the court (HC) had eight months ago declared fatwa illegal and a punishable offence. In a suo moto rule, the HC directed them also to report what steps they have taken in this regard. An HC bench comprised of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and Justice Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain issued the rule. Meanwhile, another HC bench yesterday directed the law enforcement agencies to submit a report to it within three weeks on what steps have been taken following this incident in the light of its judgement on extra-judicial punishment.The bench comprised of Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Nazrul Islam Talukder also ordered the information ministry to run a media campaign to create awareness among people against extra-judicial punishment. - The Daily star February 3 2011.
3 cases filed over Munshiganj violence
Police early Tuesday filed three separate cases in connection with the Monday's clashes between law enforcers and people protesting the proposed Bangabandhu International Airport in Arial Beel that left one sub-inspector dead. Some 6,000 to 7,000 local people have been made accused in each case. Shajahan Badal, the convener of Arial Beel Rakkha Committee, was accused in all the cases.Inspector Farid of Sreenagar Police Station of Munshiganj filed a case with the police station for killing SI Motiur Rahman, Inspector Abdul Kuddus filed the second case for attacking police at Chhanbari and the third case was filed by SI Ataur Rahman for setting fire to Hara police outpost during the clashes. Police started drives in different areas soon after the cases were filed but none was arrested till Tuesday morning, Officer-in-charge Shakhawat Hossain told the correspondent.The SI was killed and about 100 others were injured when protesters locked in a series of clashes with police on Dhaka-Mawa highway in Munshiganj on Monday. The protesters also blocked the highway for nearly six hours, protesting the government's decision to construct Bangabandhu airport in Arial Beel area. -The Daily Star online edition 01, February 2011.
111 Pilkhana BGB jawans jailed
All the 111 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) jawans of Pilkhana Record Wing were sentenced to jail terms up to seven years on Tuesday for their involvement in 2009 mutiny in BGB headquarters. The Special Court-9, led by BDR Dhaka sector commander Col Habibul Karim, also fined Tk 100 each of the convicts. Of the accused, 43 were jailed for highest seven years, 10 for six years and six months, nine for six years, 10 for five years and six months, four for five years, one for four years and six months, five for four years, 16 for three years and six months, six for three years and seven for two years and six months. All the 111 alleged mutineers were produced before the court for their involvement in the February 25-26 mutiny last year that left 74 people including 57 army officers killed. -The Daily Star online edition 01, February 2011.
Charge framing hearing on orphanage
case adjourned
A Dhaka Court on Sunday adjourned the hearing on charge framing against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, her elder son Tarique Rahman and four others till March 15 in connection with Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. Judge Muzammel Hossain of the Special Judge Court-3 passed the order following a time petition filed on behalf of Khaleda and Tarique.Khaleda could not appear before the court due to security reasons while Advocate Sanaullah Miah represented Tarique as he has been receiving treatment abroad. Two other accused Sharfuddin Ahmed and former BNP lawmaker Kazi Saleemul Haq Kamal were also absent from the court as they were busy with some other jobs.The other accused, former principal secretary Dr Kamal Uddin Siddique and late Ziaur Rahman's nephew Mominur Rahman remain absconding since the filing of the case.The Anti-Corruption Commission on August 5 last year pressed charges against Khaleda, Tarique and four others. -The Daily star, online editon.30 January 2011.
Felani Killing, HC rejects plea for govt probe
The High Court yesterday rejected a writ petition seeking its directive on the government to form a committee to investigate the killing of Felani, a Bangladeshi teenage girl of Kurigram, by Indian Border Security Force (BSF).An HC bench of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and Justice Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain rejected the petition, saying that the court considered the petition not submitted before it.The HC said it does not want to interfere with the government's decision regarding the incident.Deputy Attorney General ABM Altaf Hossain told the court that the government has protested Felani's killing through diplomatic channel. The Indian government has expressed sorrow at the death and informed Bangladesh that two BSF members were suspended in connection with the killing, he added. Fifteen-year-old Felani was shot dead by BSF on January 7 when she was returning home from India through Anantapur border in Kurigram.National Forum for Protection of Human Rights filed the petition as public interest litigation with the HC on January 17 seeking compensation from the government for Felani's family. It also asked to take steps against killings by BSF. -The Daily star, online editon.31 January 2011.
Stop earth filling, construction in
Nikunja Lake: HC
The High Court on Sunday directed the authorities concerned to stop earth filling and construction of structures in Nikunja Lake of the capital for next three months. The HC bench of Justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and Justice Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain also directed the authorities to maintain status quo on the structures during the period. In response to a writ petition, the court also issued a rule upon the government to explain within four weeks why it should not be directed to demolish the structures in the lake to protect the area.Golam Haider, a leader of Nikunja Abashik Elaka Kolyan Somiti (Nikunja Residential Area Welfare Association) filed the petition earlier in the day, seeking direction on the government to take steps for protecting the lake at Joar Sahara. The petitioner said in the petition that the earth filling and construction of structures are damaging the environment of the lake. Moreover, the lake is situated in the zero-height area and as per the law no structures can be built there, he added. -The Daily star, online editon.31 January 2011.
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