law-order
Attack on Patia police station: 3 Hefazat men get HC bail
The High Court on Tuesday granted bail to three activists of Hefazat-e-Islam in a case filed with Patiya Police Station of Chattogram for attack on police station and assaulting on-duty policemen on March 26.
The HC bench of Justice JBM Hassan passed the order after hearing a petition.
Those who secured bail are Maulana Mufti Ariful Islam, Imtiaz Hossain and Belal Uddin.
Read: N’ganj Factory fire: Sajeeb Group chairman, two sons granted bail
On March 26, some Hefazat men brought out a procession and carried out attack on Patiya Police Station.
On March 30, Borhanuddin, officer-in-charge of Patiya Police Station filed a case against 700 activists of Hefazat—e-Islam.
Police on April 10 arrested the three accused.
Read: Thakurgaon journalist arrested under DSA gets bail
Beside, the HC also granted bail to another Hefazat man identified as Manir Sardar of Mollarhat upazila in Bagerhat district in a case filed with Mollarhat Police Station.
On April 22, police arrested Manir Sardar.
Special BCS: HC will not intervene in appointing doctors
The High Court on Monday rejected a writ petition seeking appointment of doctors from among the successful candidates of 39th special Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination, saying it won’t intervene in this matter.
During hearing of the writ the bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim said it’s a matter of government’s policy and so the court won’t be intervening in the decision of how many doctors will be appointed from which BCS.
Senior advocate Yousuf Hossain Humayun and advocate Md Moshiur Rahman presented the petitioners’ side at the court while Deputy Attorney General Bipul Bagmar presented the state side.
Also read: Govt appoints 2,000 physicians from 39th BCS
On July 29, a writ petition with the court seeking direction on appointing doctors from passed candidates of 39th BCS examination. Advocate Md Moshiur Rahman submitted the petition on behalf of Dr Rafa Md Nurul Islam and 1,360 other passed candidates in the 39th BCS examinations.
Advocate Md Moshiur Rahman said, 13,219 candidates were recommended for appointment after passing the final examination of 39th special BCS which was held in 2018.
Of them 4,562 were appointed in the health cadre in the first phase and the Public Service Commission (PSC) said others will be appointed later as non-cadre later as no position was vacant that time.
Last year, 2,000 more doctors were appointed from the recommended candidates as Covid-19 situation overwhelmed the health sector.
Recently the government announced to appoint 4,000 new doctors in the health sector from the recommended candidates of 42nd special BCS.
Also read: HC seeks govt decision on Covid jabs to pregnant women
Following which the writ petition was filed seeking direction on appointing new doctors from the left out 6,500 passed candidates of the 39th BCS.
Writ seeks direction to allocate enough hospital beds for Covid treatment
A writ petition was filed with the High Court on Sunday seeking direction to allocate enough beds at all government and private hospitals and to supply high-flow nasal cannula, oxygen and medical supplies to district hospitals for treatment of Covid-19 patients.
The petition was submitted by Supreme Court lawyers advocate ZU Khan Panna, Sayeda Nasrin and Md Shahinuzzaman on behalf of human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK).
The petition was filed against the Health Secretary and Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Reports published in national newspapers on the crisis of medical supplies to hospitals were also attached with the petition.
Bench of justice M Enayetur Rahim is likely to hold a virtual hearing on the writ this week, court sources told UNB.
The writ petition said direction needs to be passed to increase the number of beds at hospitals and to transfer Covid patients to private hospitals when they fail didn’t get seats in government ones as Covid situation is worsening in the country.
The petition also requested an interim order and rule on taking legal action against private hospitals for refusing to admit Covid-19 patients, prioritizing treatment of pregnant Covid patients and making the treatment cost bearable for the poor.
The petition also asked for taking necessary steps to ensure proper monitoring of the Covid patients and arranging hygienic and quality food for them.
Earlier on July 11, a legal notice was sent by ASK to the government to take necessary steps within three days. After getting no reply from the authorities the writ petition was filed.
Film actress Eka sent to jail in two cases
A Dhaka court on Sunday sent film actress Eka to jail after rejecting bail in two cases filed over torture of her house maid with a motive to murder and illegal possession of narcotics.
Dhaka metropolitan magistrate Md Jashim also rejected police prayer to remand her for three days in each case.
The bail and remand hearing was held when after police produced Eka before the court.
Earlier the lawyer of the defendant submitted a bail petition before the court.
On Saturday, Eka’s house help filed a case against her for torturing and another case was filed by police finding narcotic substances at her home, both at Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Hatirjheel police station.
Read: Film actress Eka held for torturing house help
Police arrested Eka on Saturday from her apartment in the Ulon area at Hatirjheel area for allegedly torturing her house help.
Officer-in-Charge of Hatirjheel police station, Abdur Rashid said they were informed of the incident through a phone call in helpline number 999 in the afternoon.
They rescued the injured housemaid Hajera,30, from the apartment and sent her immediately to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment.
"The housemaid had injury marks on her head and hands", said police sources.
Hajera’s husband said Eka asked Hajera on Saturday to stay overnight for help in shifting to a new house. But she declined. A furious Eka then asked her not to come the next day.
“As Hajera asked for her dues Eka hit her with some heavy object. Hearing her scream a neighbour informed the police '', said Hajera’s husband.
Sylhet-3 by-election postponed until Aug 5
The High Court on Monday stayed the by-election to Sylhet-3 constituency till August 5 due to the worsening Covid situation in the country.
The virtual HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim passed the order following a writ petition filed over the election.
Read:Sylhet Regional Election Officer dies of Covid
The election was scheduled to be held on July28.
Earlier in the morning , Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir, on behalf of six Supreme Court lawyers and seven local voters, including Saleh Ahmed, filed the writ petition seeking stay of the polls.
Read: Sylhet scenario as strict lockdown resumes
Besides, a legal notice was issued to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on Sunday to suspend voting in the polls.
The Sylhet-3 constituency fell vacant after MP Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury died of coronavirus on March 11.
48 Bangladeshis held in Malaysia for Covid-19 breaches during Eid prayers
Police rounded up 48 Bangladesh nationals, and one local man Tuesday for Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) breaches outside a surau (Islamic assembly building) in Taman Pelangi of Malaysia's Johor state during Eid prayers.
To probe a viral video showing hundreds of individuals – believed to be foreigners violating the SOP by performing prayers at an open area outside the surau – the law enforcers arrested them, Penang police chief Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said.
Read:3 Bangladeshis held in Malaysia for not having travel documents
A video showing over 200 individuals – mostly foreigners – attending Eid-ul-Azha prayers in the parking lot and by the roadside of a surau in Taman Pelangi between 8.30am to 9am Tuesday had gone viral, leading to the investigation.
Read: 102 Bangladeshis held in Malaysia
They were praying in the area as the surau management did not allow them inside after reaching the limit of 100 people, Shuhaily said. "They then allegedly proceeded to perform prayers on the road in front of the surau."
Police will conduct investigations under Section 269 of the Penal Code for a negligent act that could spread an infectious disease as well as movement without permission and Section 270 of the Penal Code for spreading harmful infection and the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) (Measures in Communicable Areas) Regulations 2020, Shuhaily said.
N’ganj Factory fire: Sajeeb Group chairman, two sons granted bail
A court in Narayanganj on Monday granted bail to Sajeeb Group’s chairman MA Hashem and his two sons -- Hashem Bin Hashem and Tareq Ibrahim – in the case over the Rupganj factory fire that killed 52 workers.
Narayanganj Senior District and Sessions Judge Anisur Rahman passed the order during a virtual hearing on the bail petition for the six accused of the case who were in jail, said prosecutor advocate Moniruzzaman.
The court, however, suspended the bail petition of the Group CEO and its Deputy General Manager, he added.
On July 10, Narayanganj police arrested Md Abul Hashem, chairman of the group, his four sons -- Hashem Bin Hashem, Tareq Ibrahim, Tawsif Ibrahim and Tanjim Ibrahim-- and its CEO Shahan Sha Azad, DGM Mamunur Rashid and head of admin Salauddin in connection with the tragic fire in the factory owned by the Group.
Also read: Rupganj fire: Sajeeb Group chairman, sons among 8 put on remand
Police filed the case with Rupganj police station against the eight people and many unknown others following the massive fire in the factory.
On July 14, a Narayanganj court sent to jail six of the accused, including Abul Hashem, on completion of a four-day remand and granted bail to Hashem’s two sons Tawsif Ibrahim and Tanjib Ibrahim, on grounds that they study abroad and do not have any ownership of the company.
Following the case filed by police, the district's Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments filed a separate case against the Group’s owner and DGM at the labour court under section 80 of the labour law.
Also read: Death toll from Rupganj factory fire jumps to 52
Ansar Al Islam leader placed on 3-day remand
A Dhaka court on Saturday placed banned militant outfit Ansar Al Islam’s leader Mahmudul Hasan Gunbi on a 3-day remand in an anti-terrorism case filed at city’s Shah Ali police station.
Also read: Three ‘Ansar Al Islam militants’ held in Rajshahi
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Moinul Islam passed the order during a hearing after investigation officer of the case and Sub-Inspcetor of Counter Terrorisom and Transnational Crimes unit (CTTC), Masud Rana prayed for 10-day remand producing the accused before court.
Also read: ‘Ansar Al Islam member’ arrested in Dhaka
On early Friday the Rapid Action Battalion arrested Gunbi from Beri Badh area under Shah Ali police station. Police later filed a case against him.
JMB member executed in Gazipur jail
A member of banned militant outfit Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh has been executed in Gazipur'sKashimpur central jail, sources have said.
Asaduzzaman Panir alias Asad (37), a JMB member from Mymensingh, was convicted over his involvement in a bomb blast that claimed eight at least lives in 2005 in Netrakona.
Asad was hanged at 11pm on Thursday in the presence of Gazipur district’s Executive Magistrate, and representatives of the Civil Surgeon's office and Metropolitan Police, as well as the convict’s family members.
Also read: JMB member Abdur Rahman arrested in Savar
Hangman Shahjahan carried out the execution and Dr Ashif Rahman Ivan from the Civil Surgeon's office pronounced Asad dead minutes later.
Sources said Asad was sentenced to death in connection with the bomb blast at cultural organisation Udichi and Shatadal’s office in Netrakona on December 8, 2005, that left eight people dead and 40 injured.
Cases were subsequently filed against Asad under the Explosive Substances Act.
In one of the cases filed at Netrakona police station, the Dhaka speedy trial tribunal court sentenced him and other two other accused -- Salauddin alias Sohel and Younus Ali -- to death on February 17, 2008.
Also read: Series bomb blasts: Sylhet JMB leader gets life term
Other two convicts in the case, JMB leader Siddiqur Rahman alias Bangla Bhai and Ataur Rahman Sani, were already executed in another case.
The court had also sentenced Asad to 20 years in jail in another case under the Explosive Substances Act lodged at Netrakona police station in 2005 and also to 10 and 20 years in prison in two other cases filed at Kotwali police station.
It’s settled: Life term means 30 yrs imprisonment
Life imprisonment in Bangladesh means a convict will remain behind bars for 30 years unless specifically mentioned in the verdict that the person is sentenced to imprisonment until natural death.
The 120-page full verdict of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh on the matter was published on its website on Thursday.
Also read: Six get life term over killing Rajshahi man
“Imprisonment for life is equivalent to imprisonment for 30 years if sections 45 and 53 are read together along with sections 55 and 57 of the Penal Code and 35A of the Code of Criminal Procedure,” it read.
However, the convict will not be entitled to get the benefit of section 35A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, if awarded life imprisonment by the International Crimes Tribunal under International Crimes Tribunals Act, 1973.
Also read: Life term means 30 yrs imprisonment: Appellate Division
A seven-member bench, led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, passed a short verdict on December 1 last year over the matter following a review petition filed by a convict, Ataur Mridha.
Attorney General AM Amin Uddin stood for the state while Advocate Khandakar Mahbub Hossain represented the petitioner.