Government seeks more time to separate judiciary
The government has again sought time extension for implementing 12 points
directives given by the Supreme Court to separate the judiciary from
the executive. During the hearing full bench of the Supreme Court expressed
dissatisfaction at the government's foot-dragging on implementing the
over-three-year-old directives on separation of the judiciary. Attorney
General AF Hassan Ariff pleaded for an extension, for the 18th time,
by another four months to implement the 12-point directive given by
the Supreme Court following the verdict of Masdar Hossain case in December
1999. The court kept pending its move and asked the attorney general
to let it know of the measures so far taken by the government for implementation
of the directives. Hearing on granting further extension has been adjourned
till 13 April. -Law Desk.
Suit
against Bhorer Kagoj editor dismissed
A magistrate's court has dismissed a defamation suit against the editor
and a reporter of the Daily Bhorer Kagoj after it ran a report headlined
"Graft charges against eight judges". Metropolitan Magistrate
Moha-mmad Emdadul Haq on 23 March issued the order on the ground that
the person who filed the suit has not been victimised by the report.
A lawyer of Dhaka Bar Asso-ciation filed the case with the Court of
Chief Metropolitan Magistrate on 17 March accusing Editor Abed Khan
and Staff Reporter Shanker Maitra. In the plaint, the lawyer claimed
the report published on 15 March was false, fabricated and baseless
and tarnished the image of court and damaged the reputation of the lawyers,
judges and the judiciary. It also caused a loss of Tk 50 crore to the
judiciary, court premises and the persons engaged in law profession,
the complainant added. -Bhorer Kagoj, 29 March.
3
tribunals dissolved
The government has dissolved three tribunals in Dhaka by an official
order from the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry on 23
March. Tribunals that have been dissolved are Tribunal for Prevention
of Public Safety Disturbances and Crimes, Dhaka 2,3 and 4. The order
is to be take effect from 1 April 2004. During the last Awami League
government, four tribunals were set up in Dhaka for quick disposal of
the cases under the Public Safety Act (PSA). All the cases, pending
with the dissolved tribunals, were transferred to the Tribunal-1, Dhaka
for disposal, while three nazirs and bench assistants, posted at those
tribunals, were transferred to Mymensingh, Gazipur, Manikganj, Pabna,
Narayanganj and Natore. -Prothom Alo, 30 March.
Law
to control TV channels recommended
Parliamentary standing committee on information ministry has recommended
introduction of a law to deal with the satellite television channels.
The committee also asked the ministry to explain at its next meeting
why Bangladeshi satellite television channels are not allowed to broadcast
in India. The members of the committee said all Indian TV channels should
be stopped to broadcast in Bangladesh if Bangladeshi channels are not
allowed to broadcast in India. The committee also asked the ministry
to amend the censor board act in accordance with the demands of film
producers and distributors but in keeping with the government policy.
-Daily Star, 30 March.
Rob
murder case transferred
The sensational SMA Rob murder case has been transferred to the Speedy
Trial Tribunal in Rajshahi. Order to transfer the case was passed by
the higher court on 10 March. The case was under trial in the court
of Additional District and Sessions Judge. The Speedy Trial Tribunal
Judge felt embarrassed to try the case when a group of supporters of
the slain AL leader raised slogan in the court compound during deposition
of prosecution witnesses on 12 November last year. Following this, the
Judge wrote a letter to the higher court to transfer the case elsewhere.
Awami League Mayoral candidate SMA Rob was gunned down on August 11
in 2000 in front of his residence at Sonadanga. His eldest son Arifur
Rahman Mithu filed an FIR as complainant naming none as accused. Assistant
Superintendent of Police (ASP) of the Criminal Investigation Department(CID)
submitted charge sheet naming 13 people as accused. -Daily Star,
31 March.
Law
to protect consumer rights soon
The proposed consumer rights protection Act is going to be approved
by the cabinet this month. The draft of the proposed law will be given
the final touch at an inter-ministerial meeting scheduled to be held
on 2 April 2004. The draft would be submitted to the Jatiya Sangsad
some time later for enactment into law. The planned act, to ensure fair
competition for the benefit of the consumers, will also have a provision
to protect the rights of those who sell their products and services
at lower prices than their rivals. In other words, it will be illegal
to intimidate and force business rivals, who are asking lower prices
for the same goods, to raise prices. The earlier draft included a provision
for life-term imprisonment, and the inter-ministerial body is yet to
finalise it. As per the proposed act, the government will form a National
Consumers Tribunal (NCT), and a District Consumers Tribunal (DCT) in
every district, for trying the cases of consumers rights violation.
-New Age, 2 April 2004.
