law-order
HC summons relevant documents to verify Khaleda’s date of birth
The High Court on Sunday summoned birth registration, educational certificate, passport and other documents regarding her date of birthday from BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.
At the same time, the High Court wanted to know what information the government has in this regard.
The Foreign Secretary, the Election Commission, the Director General (DG) of the Department of Health, the Director General of the Passport Department and the Board of Secondary and Higher Education were instructed to submit the documents within the next two months.
The virtual dual bench of High Court Justice M. Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md. Mostafizur Rahman passed the order following the hearing on a writ petition challenging the validity of Khaleda’s birthday celebration on August 15.
The court issued a rule besides giving interim directions.
The rule sought an explanation as to why the failure to take legal action against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia for using different dates for her birthday, including August 15, should not be declared illegal.
Home and Health Secretaries, IG of Police, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner and officer-in-charge of Gulshan Police Station were asked to respond to the rule.
On May 31, thewrit petition was filed by Supreme Court lawyer Mamun-ur-Rashid, who is a Juba League presidium member and former general secretary of Tangail Chhatra League.
'Hash Brownies’: 3 students caught with edible cannabis products placed on 2-day remand
A Dhaka court on Thursday remanded three private university students who were arrested over seizure of ‘Hash Brownies’, an edible cannabis product that from the outside looks no different from any other chocolate cake or pastry product.
Court of Dhaka metropolitan magistrate Shahinur Rahman passed the order during a hearing after Investigation officer of the case Sub-Inspector Julhas Uddin prayed for 7-day remand after producing the accused before court.
The remanded students are Kafil Owara Rafid from American International University of Bangladesh, Kazi Risalat Hossain from Advanced Professionals in Dhanmondi and Saiful Islam Saif from University of Development Alternative.
From the defendant’s side advocate Samia Ara Mina and Abu Sayem appealed for bail and cancellation of remand while the states side opposed.
After hearing both sides the court passed the order.
On Wednesday night, a team of DB police arrested the students from the city's Mohammadpur and Paltan area and a case was filed in this connection with the Mohammadpur police station.
According to DB, they were tipped off about a cake laced with Marijuana being peddled by syndicates in the city. Police arrested Rafid and Saif from Shahjahan road in Mohammadpur during a raid.
Eighteen pieces of Hash Brownies were seized from them, said police.
Later, following their information police arrested Risalat with twelve pieces of cake from an apartment in the city's Paltan area.
With cannabis incorporated in the ingredients, these edibles are a potent way of getting 'high' without smoking.
HC issues rule on bail for staff arrested over PMO doc forgery
The High Court on Tuesday issued a rule seeking explanation on why Fatema Khatun, a staffer suspended over a case of document forgery in the Prime Minister’s Office, should not get bail.
The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Sardar Md Rashed Jahangir issued the rule during a hearing on the defendant’s bail petition.
Advocate Momatajuddin Ahmed represented the defendant during the hearing.
Defendant’s advocate prayed for bail mentioning Fatema Khatun’s health condition worsening after staying a year in jail.
The High Court disagreed to grant bail to Fatema for bringing disrepute to PMO’s image and rather agreed to issue a rule.
Also read: DU teacher’s termination: HC questions legality of action
On May 5, 2020, PM office director-7 Md. Rafiqul Alam filed a case against three individuals.
Later police submitted charge sheet of the case accusing six people including Fatema Khatun and Chhatra League central committee leader Tariqul Islam.
Others accused in the case are Nazim Uddin, Rubel, Farhad Hossain, a student of North South University, and former treasurer of Bangladesh University of Professionals , retired air commodore M Abdus Salam Azad.
The accused were working to have Abdus Salam Azad appointed to the post of treasurer of North South University.
According to the charge sheet, the names of the chairman of history department of NSU Professor M Enamul Haque, Professor of architecture department of BUET Md Abdur Rauf, and M Abdus Salam Azad were put forward in an Education Ministry document, from which one was to be chosen for the post of NSU treasurer by the PM.
Also read: HC rejects writ challenging gazette on Papul’s MP post
Working as the office assistant at PMO, Fatema got the document in hand after the PM made her choice and disclosed the confidential information that Abdus Salam had not been chosen to BCL leader Tariqul.
On March 1, the same year Fatema handed over the document to accused Farhad for Tk 20,000.
Later, the accused tampered with the document to showing M Abdus Salam Azad approved for the post, and had it sent to the president’s office from the PMO for final approval, said the charge sheet.
Court orders seizure of Golden Monir’s bank accounts
A Dhaka court on Tuesday ordered the seizure of 170 bank accounts of three people, including Monir Hossain alias Golden Monir in connection with a case with money laundering.
The other two people are Sirajganj Sadar Upazila Chairman Riaz Uddin and Dhaka North City Corporation Ward No. 44 Councillor Shafiqul Islam alias Shafiq.
Also read: ‘Golden Monir’ put on 18-day remand
Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge KM Imrul Kayes passed the order after the investigating officer of the case, CID Inspector of Police Mohammad Chadek Ali, applied for the account seizures of these three people.
On May 11, CID inspector Ibrahim Hossain filed the case against 10 people including Raushan Akter, wife of Golden Monir and his son Rafi Hossain.
Also read: ‘Golden Monir’ finally held with ‘arms, drugs’
On November 20, 2020, RAB surrounded Monir's house in capital’s Badda. During the eight-hour operation till noon, almost 7 Kg gold jewelry, foreign pistols, liquor, huge amounts of foriegn currency from 10 countries and Tk 1.9 crore cash were seized from the house.
Last year on December 10, Golden Monir was sent to jail after being remanded for 27 days in three separate cases under the Arms, special powers and narcotics law.
DU teacher’s termination: HC questions legality of action
The High Court on Tuesday asked the Dhaka University authorities to explain in four weeks why its decision to terminate Professor Morshed Hasan Khan from his job should not be declared illegal.
The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Sardar Md Rashed Jahangir issued the rule on Wednesday following a writ petition filed by Prof Morshed, a teacher at the marketing department.
Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua stood for the writ while Deputy Attorney General Arvind Kumar Roy represented the state.
Also read: DU teacher demoted over Ducsu polls irregularities
Earlier last year, the university sacked Prof. Morshed on charges of distorting the country's history and defaming Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The professor made some remarks on Bangabandhu in an article titled "Jyotirmoy Zia", published in a national daily on March 25, 2018 prompting strong objections and condemnation from the DU wing of Bangladesh Chhatra League.
Also read: DU teachers, students voice their hopes for centenary year 2021
After the ruling, Jyotirmoy told the media that the DU authorities sent a termination letter to his client on Oct 6. On Oct 11, Prof Morshed submitted an appeal to the DU vice-chancellor against his termination, but the VC did not act in seven months.
“So we have filed a writ petition with the HC challenging the authorities. Today, the court delivered a verdict challenging the legality of the termination,,” he added.
HC rejects writ challenging gazette on Papul’s MP post
The High Court on Tuesday rejected a writ petition filed by ex-Laxmipur-2 lawmaker Shahid Islam Papul's sister challenging the gazette notification that declared the MP’s seat vacant.
The bench of Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia and Justice Md Kamrul Hossain Mollah passed the order after hearing a writ filed by Papul's sister Nurunnahar Begum, said deputy attorney general Nouroz M Russel Chowdhury.
Read: Order on writ against declaring Papul's parliamentary seat vacant Tuesday
On January 28, a Kuwait court sentenced Papul to four years' jail in a case related to human trafficking, residency visa trading and money laundering. He was also fined around 1.9 million Kuwaiti dinars.
On 6 June last year, Papul was arrested in Kuwait.
On August 16 of the same year, Abul Fayez Bhuiyan, an independent candidate from the Laxmipur-2 constituency, filed a writ petition challenging the legality of Papul's parliament membership as he had been accused of providing fake documents and submitting fake education certificates.
Read: MP Papul’s parliamentary seat declared vacant
On February 22 this year, parliament declared the Lakshmipur-2 constituency vacant following the conviction of Papul on charges of human trafficking and money laundering by a court in Kuwait.
The Parliament Secretariat issued a gazette notification declaring that the Laxmipur-2 constituency (Parliamentary Seat-275) fell vacant on January 28, 2021, the date of the court's sentence.
According to the gazette, Papul is ineligible to remain an MP under Article 66 (2) of the Constitution as he was sentenced by the Kuwaiti criminal court to four-year rigorous imprisonment on January 28.
Read:MP Papul’s conviction: Govt receives verdict copy
His seat has remained vacant since the date of the court's sentence according to Article 67 (1) of the Constitution, said the gazette signed by Senior Secretary of the Parliament Secretariat Dr Zafar Ahmed Khan.
MP Papul, who won the Lakshmipur-2 seat in the 2018 election as an independent candidate, is now in Kuwait jail.
62 Bangladeshis detained in Malaysia
Malaysia's Immigration Department detained 156 immigrants, including 62 Bangladeshis, during an integrated operation at an illegal settlement in Cyberjaya city Sunday night.
The detainees also include Indonesian, Myanmarese, Nepali, Pakistani and Indian nationals.
Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud, director-general of the Immigration Department, said: "In the 11pm operation, a total of 202 immigrants from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar and India, including 12 women and two children were checked."
Read: Malaysian police detain Bangladeshi featured in Al Jazeera documentary
"However, 156 of them were detained for not having valid travel and identification documents before being taken to the Immigration Department's screening centre in Putrajaya for further action," he added.
The raid on the settlement that has access to water supply and electricity through illegal connections was carried out in collaboration with several enforcement agencies including the police, the Malaysian Civil Defence Force and the National Registration Department, Datuk Khairul said.
"This illegal settlement has the potential of spreading Covid-19 infections as it fails to comply with the stipulated standard operating procedures under the Movement Control Order," he added.
However, Khairul Dzaimee denied allegations that the Immigration Department only took action against illegal immigrants, but not their employers.
"The claims are untrue because, in 2019, a total of 1,052 employers were charged in court with various offences under the Immigration Act, involving a total fine of RM19.3 million," he said.
"Last year, 519 employers were brought to court, involving a total fine of more than RM10 million. As of last month, 130 employers were slapped with fines amounting to RM3.2 million."
HC orders to release woman serving jail for another woman for money
The High Court on Monday ordered the release of Minu Akter who has been in prison for three years serving a life term on behalf of real convict Kulsum Akter for money.
The high court passed the order to Chattogram fourth additional metropolitan session court to free Minu Akter, subject to its satisfaction.
Read: Why no separate compartment for women in trains: HC asks govt
Minu impersonated as Kulsum who was sentenced to life in prison for killing a female garment worker in Chittagong in 2006.
The bench of Justice Jahangir Hossain Selim and Justice Mohi Uddin Shamim passed the order during a virtual hearing.
The court also ordered to take necessary steps to arrest Kulsum.
Besides, the court ordered special public prosecutor of Chattogram Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-2 MA Naser and junior lawyer Nurul Anwar and Bibekananda Chowdhury and clerk Showrabh to submit written explanation about their role in the fraudulent act within two weeks.
The court has also ordered the four to appear before the court on June 28, the next date of hearing on this case.
Advocate Md Shishir Munir stood for Minu during the hearing while Attorney General AM Amin Uddin and Deputy Attorney General Dr Bashir Ullah presented the state side.
Advocate Iqbal Hossain presented the appeal submitted to the High Court against Kulsum’s life term.
How Minu ended up in Jail:
October 26 in 2007 Kulsum was arrested in a case filed over a garment worker’s murder in 2006.
Two years later she was freed after being granted bail by a Chattogram court.
On November 30, 2017 Chattogram fourth additional metropolitan session court found Kulsum guilty and sentenced her to life term and ordered to pay a fine of TK 50,000 after completing the trial. Failure to pay the fine the convict was to spend an additional one year in jail.
On June 12 in 2018 Minu, pretending to be Kulsum, surrendered to police and began spending time behind bars. According to case proceedings she did it for money.
In 2019 advocate Iqbal Hossain filed a petition on the sentence passed by lower court on behalf of Minu pretending to be Kulsum.
Following which the case document was sent to the High Court on June 12 the same year.
On March 18 this year, senior jail super of Chattogram central jail Md. Safiqul Islam Khan noticedthe issue of fraudulence and brought the matter to Chattogram court’s notice.
Following the court’s order Minu was brought before court on March 22.
In the court Minu said, “three years back a woman named Morzina promising to give some rice sent me to jail and said after Ramadan she will bring me out.”
“Now I want to be out of the jail,’ she said.
Later sub-document of the case was sent to the high court and advocate Shishir Munir presented it before court.
The accused of the case Kulsum was a housewife living in Rahmatganj under Kotwali police station with his husband.
Minu used to live in a slum in the city with her three children before ending up in jail as Kulsum.
Freezing bank accounts of ex-AL MP Awal, wife: HC questions legality of order
The High Court on questioned a lower court's order, that asked the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to sieze properties and freeze bank accounts of former lawmaker and Pirojpur Awami League President AKM Awal and his wife Laila Parveen in two graft cases.
The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Sardar Md Rashed Jahangir issued the rules after hearing separate petitions filed by the couple.
The court issued rules asking the ACC to show cause in four weeks why the lower court's order should not be declared illegal.
Also read: Former MP Awal placed on 2-day remand in extortion case
On January 17, Judge KM Emrul Kayesh of the Senior Special Judge's Court of Dhaka asked the ACC to freeze bank accounts and seize properties of Awal, who was elected from Awami League from the Pirojpur-1 constituency in the 2008 and 2014 national polls, and Laila in the two corruption cases.
On May 25, the court rejected two separate appeals filed by them, ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam said.
Also read: Former MP Awal taken to jail
On September 29 last year, the ACC filed two separate cases with its Integrated District Office-1 of Dhaka where Awal was sued for amassing illegal wealth over Tk33.27 crore, and Laila Tk10.98 crore.
Also, on December 30, 2019, the ACC filed three cases against Awal and one against Laila for grabbing a piece of government land in Pirojpur Sadar upazila and setting up a two-story building on it.
Aslam Chowdhury's bail order stayed
The Appellate Division on Sunday stayed the High Court bail orders for BNP leader Aslam Chowdhury, in two sabotage cases filed in 2013, until June 20.
The virtual bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, passed the orders following petitions filed by the state, seeking stay on the High Court orders.
The court also asked the state to file a leave to appeal petition against the High Court orders by June 20.
On May 30, the High Court granted bail to BNP leader Aslam Chowdhury, a joint secretary general of BNP, in two sabotage cases filed against him with the capital's Kotwali and Shahbag police stations, following two bail petitions filed by him.
The bench of Justice Jahangir Hossain Selim and Justice Mohi Uddin Shamim passed the orders, granting him ad-interim bail for six months, Deputy Attorney General Dr Md Bashir Ullah said.
Aslam's lawyer Hasibur Rahman said the High Court orders cleared the way for his client to walk out of jail.
On May 15, 2016, Aslam was arrested from Dhaka's Khilkhet for allegedly hatching a conspiracy with Israeli intelligence agency Mossad to overthrow the government.
On May 26 that year, he was sued for the alleged sedition and then shown arrested in two sedition cases.
Next, Aslam was accused in other cases including sabotage and cheque fraud. However, he secured bail in all the cases, Hasibur said.