The High Court yesterday questioned the legality of the Election Commission's rejection of an application for cancelling the candidacy of 25 Jamaat-e-Islami leaders.
The court issued a rule asking the EC, government and the Jamaat leaders to explain in four weeks why the EC's decision should not be declared illegal.
The HC bench of Justice ABM Hassan and Justice Md Khairul Alam came up with the rule following a petition filed by Bangladesh Tariqat Federation and Amra Muktijoddhar Santan challenging the EC order issued on December 23.
The bench, however, refused to direct the EC to treat the Jamaat leaders as disqualified for the December 30 election as prayed by the petitioners.
The HC order means there is no legal bar for the Jamaat leaders to take part in the election, Deputy Attorney General Motaher Hossain Sazu told The Daily Star.
Of the Jamaat men, 21 are in the race as BNP nominees and four are independents.
During yesterday's hearing, lawyer Tania Amir told the court that the HC in a verdict in 2013 had declared Jamaat's registration with the EC illegal.
The HC verdict is still in force and the 25 leaders have not resigned from the party. Therefore, they cannot be allowed to contest the election, she said.
Jamaat's appeal challenging the HC verdict is pending with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, but the Jamaat leaders taking part in the election have not informed the EC about it, which is an obvious fraudulence, she argued.
Ruhul Quddus Kazal, lawyer for two of the Jamaat leaders, said the candidates were not running as Jamaat men. Therefore, there is no legal bar for them to contest.
The High Court yesterday questioned the legality of the Election Commission's rejection of an application for cancelling the candidacy of 25 Jamaat-e-Islami leaders.
The court issued a rule asking the EC, government and the Jamaat leaders to explain in four weeks why the EC's decision should not be declared illegal.
The HC bench of Justice ABM Hassan and Justice Md Khairul Alam came up with the rule following a petition filed by Bangladesh Tariqat Federation and Amra Muktijoddhar Santan challenging the EC order issued on December 23.
The bench, however, refused to direct the EC to treat the Jamaat leaders as disqualified for the December 30 election as prayed by the petitioners.
The HC order means there is no legal bar for the Jamaat leaders to take part in the election, Deputy Attorney General Motaher Hossain Sazu told The Daily Star.
Of the Jamaat men, 21 are in the race as BNP nominees and four are independents.
During yesterday's hearing, lawyer Tania Amir told the court that the HC in a verdict in 2013 had declared Jamaat's registration with the EC illegal.
The HC verdict is still in force and the 25 leaders have not resigned from the party. Therefore, they cannot be allowed to contest the election, she said.
Jamaat's appeal challenging the HC verdict is pending with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, but the Jamaat leaders taking part in the election have not informed the EC about it, which is an obvious fraudulence, she argued.
Ruhul Quddus Kazal, lawyer for two of the Jamaat leaders, said the candidates were not running as Jamaat men. Therefore, there is no legal bar for them to contest.
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The High Court has sought relevant documents from the government to determine BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's "genuine" date of birth.
In response to a writ petition, the court asked the authorities concerned of the government to provide the record regarding her date of birth in 60 days.
The HC also issued a rule asking the respondents to show causes why their inaction to prosecute Khaleda Zia under relevant law for celebrating her birthday on different dates deliberately to malign and undermine the solemnity of National Mourning Day on August 15 should not be declared illegal.
Secretaries to the ministries of home affairs and health and family planning, inspector general of police, commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, and officer-in-charge of Gulshan Police Station have made respondents to the rule.
The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Sardar Md Rashed Jahangir came up with the order and rule after holding hearing on a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Mamun Or Rashid, challenging the legality of celebrating birthday by Khaleda Zia on August 15.
The petitioner said that it is a matter of great distress for the nation that Khaleda Zia has mentioned and used her date of birth on August 15, 1946 in the current passport with an ulterior motive -- to malign the National Mourning Day when the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was brutally killed with his family members in 1975.
Also, Khaleda Zia's date of birth is September 5, 1946 according to her SSC certificate; August 4, 1944 according to her marriage registration certificate; August 5, 1946 according to her machine-readable passport; and May 8, 1946 according to her Covid-19 test report, the petitioner said in the petition.
BNP's Joint Secretary General and former Supreme Court Bar Association Secretary AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon opposed the petition, saying that the writ petitioner has been filed in order to achieve political gains.
Thousands of people including Khaleda Zia were born on August 15, he said, adding it is not the work of the HC to deal with such a matter involving a birthday.
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We welcome the call for national unity amid rising tensions over seemingly unconnected reasons in different parts of the country. Both Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and top BNP leaders have underscored the importance of peace and unity as the nation grapples with post-uprising challenges. At a recent meeting, Prof Yunus has emphasised the need to de-escalate tensions across societal divides, while BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called for dialogue with political parties to bridge divisions and build unity. Jamaat-e-Islami also supported the call for national unity.
However, unity is easier sought than achieved, as it requires decisive action, collective resolve and vigilance, a commitment to addressing the underlying causes of present unrest, and a certain bit of willingness to make concessions from all stakeholders.
While remnants of the ousted regime may be partly to blame for the recent turbulence, the alarming frequency of disruptions suggests deeper fissures within our society. In recent weeks, we have seen attacks and hostile mobilisations targeting media houses as well as violent clashes among college students. On Tuesday, unrest surrounding the arrest of a former ISKCON leader resulted in the brutal killing of a lawyer. Frequent public demonstrations by various groups, often leading to public disorder, have also become routine. Though these incidents may appear isolated, they form part of a broader pattern of instability following August 5.
The newfound freedom of expression under the interim government—while commendable—has also become a double-edged sword thanks to minimal oversight, creating a fertile ground for propaganda, hate speech, and rumours. Some are openly advocating destructive action, while others are sowing division under the guise of activism. These digital battlegrounds are making conflicts more likely and resolutions more elusive.
While the uprising reignited hopes for democracy, it also exposed the fragility of our sociopolitical fabric, with dissent and disillusionments festering in various quarters. The question is, if the accomplices of the fallen regime are indeed weaponising these divisions, why haven't they been conclusively identified yet? Or are there other forces also at play?
Adding fuel to this fire is the unchecked spread of incendiary narratives on social media. The newfound freedom of expression under the interim government—while commendable—has also become a double-edged sword thanks to minimal oversight, creating a fertile ground for propaganda, hate speech, and rumours. Some are openly advocating destructive action, while others are sowing division under the guise of activism. These digital battlegrounds are making conflicts more likely and resolutions more elusive. Compounding this issue is a perception among many that they can disrupt public life or destroy public properties without consequence, taking advantage of the fluid security situation.
So, how can we navigate these complex challenges to achieve peace and unity? Dialogue, as BNP has recommended, is indeed essential, not just between the government and political parties but also among various sociopolitical groups with competing interests. But for the sake of national interest, all must be sincere so that their interests are aligned with the common goal of peace. That said, dialogue alone is not enough.
The authorities must prioritise enhancing law enforcement, ensuring that laws are enforced strictly and impartially to deter and punish those inciting violence. Misuse of freedom of expression, especially online, must also be addressed carefully but firmly to curb the spread of hate and misinformation. At the same time, the call for a Truth and Peace Commission deserves serious consideration. Such a commission could play a pivotal role in rebuilding trust, fostering reconciliation, and promoting restorative justice.
The challenges we face today require us all to act responsibly and judiciously. A failure to do so risks undermining the gains of the uprising achieved through so much sacrifice and struggle.
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The High Court today wanted to know the government's decision about the old trees at the capital's Suhrawardy Udyan, a historical place related to the republic's Liberation War.
The court sought for the resolution of a meeting organised by the liberation war affairs ministry on this issue on June 24 with its Minister AKM Mozammel Haque in the chair.
The HC bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice SM Maniruzzaman asked Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Samarendra Nath Biswas to collect the resolution from the ministry and to submit it to this court in two weeks.
The bench passed the order during hearing on a writ petition filed to seek its directive upon the government not to cut trees and damage the environment and characteristics of Suhrawardy Udyan.
It fixed July 15 for further hearing on the petition.
DAG Samarendra Nath Biswas told the HC that the government has suspended the process of cutting trees at Suhrawardy Udyan.
Liberation Minister AKM Mozammel Haque held a meeting on June 24 on this issue, but the resolution of the meeting was yet to be finalised, he said, adding that he will submit the resolution to the court once he receives it.
Lawyer Syeda Rizwana Hasan appeared for the writ petitioners during the virtual hearing of the petition today.
The wife of a former Jamaat-e-Islami leader was stabbed to death in Bahubal upazila of Habiganj last evening.
The victim has been identified as Minara Khatun, 35, wife of former upazila Jamaat secretary Abdul Ahad.
Locals said Abdul Ahad returned home from Habiganj district headquarters around 7:00pm and found Minara's body in a pool of blood inside their house.
On information, members of Bahubal Model Police Station rushed to the scene and recovered the body.
Their six-month-old child was lying under the bed, Abdul Ahad said.
Bahubal Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Zahidur Rahman said, police are investigating the murder.
ANM Sazedur Rahman, superintendent of police in Habiganj said, "I have inspected the scene. The victim was stabbed to death. The forensic team of the PBI is still collecting evidence. Details can be revealed only after the autopsy."
Abdul Ahad hailed from Barogaon village in Bahubal upazila, shifted to the new house at Paschim Joypur village six months back.
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The High Court today set January 11 next year for rehearing an appeal filed by independent lawmaker and Awami League leader Haji Mohammad Salim, challenging a lower court verdict that sentenced him to 13 years' imprisonment in a corruption case.
The HC bench of Justice Md Moinul Islam Chowdhury and Justice AKM Zahirul Huq set the date for rehearing of the appeal after lawyers for Haji Salim and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) prayed fora date for its rehearing.
Lawyers Abdul Baset Majumdar and Sayeed Ahmed Raza appeared for Haji Salim and Khurshid Alam Khan stood for the ACC.
On November 11, the HC bench ordered the special judge's court-7 of Dhaka to send all relevant documents of the corruption case against Haji Mohammad Salim to it by December 7.
The ACC filed the corruption case against Haji Salim with Lalbagh Police Station on October 24, 2007 on charge of amassing illegal assets.
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