HC rule on judge's removal
The government was asked 15th May to show cause within four
weeks as to why the removal of Syed Shahidur Rahman from the High Court
Division should not be declared unlawful and illegal. A High Court Division
bench of Justice Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman and Justice Zobayer
Rahman Chowdhury passed the rule nisi on hearing a writ petition filed
by the removed additional judge. President Iajuddin Ahmed ordered his
removal on April 20 this year on recommendation from the Supreme Judicial
Council that inquired into allegation of misconduct against Shahid.
-New Age, 16 May 2004
JS
passes Constitution amendment bill
Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) on 16th May amended the country's Constitution
introducing 45 women reserved seats in the assembly and making some
new provisions. The House passed the Constitution (Fourteenth Amendment)
Bill 2004 .Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Moudud Ahmed
piloted the bill, scrutinised by the Parliamentary Standing Committee.
As there was no discussion on the bill, the Speaker in a quick move
put the bill to division vote. In support of the bill, Law Minister
Moudud Ahmed said all the provisions have been incorporated in it through
scrutiny, retaining the basic spirit of the Constitution. - New
Age, 17 May 2004
Sedition
case against AL leader
Awami League leader and former state minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir
and seven others were 16th May indicted in a sedition case popularly
known as Janatar Mancha case of 1996 .Seven out of eight accused in
the dock pleaded not guilty when additional metropolitan judge Mohammad
Rabiul Hasan read out the charge to them. OC of Ramna police station
filing the case three years ago said the accused persons had erected
a Janatar Mancha in front of the press club in March 1996 and instigated
the government officials and employees to join the agitation in a bid
to topple the BNP government. -New Age, 17 May 2004
Trial
of Vikhu Gyan Joteey case is opend
After two years the trial process of the much talked about Vikhu Gyan
Joteey case is started. Sunday, 18th May, Chittagong District and Session
Judge Abdur Rahman Patwary formally initiated the process by taking
evidence. At the first day of the trial process younger brother of the
accused was taken to the court where he described the incident in detail.
- Bhorer Kagoj, 17 May 2004
Draft
bill to amend Criminal Law finalised
The Government yesterday finalised a draft bill to amend the
Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1958 with a view to bringing about changes
in three clauses of the Act required for executing the Independent Anti-Graft
Commission Act passed by Parliament recently. Law, Justice and Parliamentary
Affairs Minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed told yesterday that as per the
Anti-Graft Commission Act, the existing Bureau of Anti-Corruption would
automatically be abolished as soon as the Commission starts operation.
Sources said according to the proposed draft bill, the Special Judges
would dispose of the corruption cases under the Anti-Graft Commission
Act. -The Independent, 18 May 2004
Barrister
Rafiq to face trial
Former Housing and Public Works Minister Barrister Rafiqul
Islam Mian is to face trial in the court on corruption charge as the
High Court discharged the rule issued earlier upon a petition to quash
the case, reports UNB. Bureau of Anti-Corruption filed the case in May
1997 accusing the former BNP minister. He was accused of allotting a
government plot to four private firms. -The News Today, 18 May 2004
Direct
election to women's seats in JS
Asking for direct election to women's reserved seats in parliament
is not irrational, but it needs some time to meet that demand, said
a government minister on Tuesday."The introduction of 45 seats
is one step forward towards meeting the demand of the women," Women
and Children Affaires Minister Begum Khurshid Zahan Haque told at her
office. Rebutting opposition criticism, she termed the introduction
of 45 women's reserved seats in parliament as a great achievement towards
women empowerment. "It's an historical step for the women of the
country". -Bangladesh Observer, 19 May 2004
Yasmin
murder case
Three
policemen are to walk to the gallows for murder after rape of 19-year
old Yasmin of Dinajpur in 1995 that had angered the nation and created
problem for the then BNP government. The petition of condemned Assistant
sub-inspectors Moinul Huq and Abdus Sattar and constable Amrita Lal
Barman to review by the Supreme Court its verdict upholding the death
penalty was rejected. - The News Today, 20 May 2004
Red
alert in Naogaon
Police
issued red alert in underground terrorist infested Atrai and Raninagar
upazilas following the gruesome murder of two at Saria on 19th May night.
Heavy police force were deployed who launched combing operation for
hunting down outlawed outfits that claimed slaughtering JMJ men Nazrul
Islam and Abdur Rashid on the verandah of a mosque. -The News Today,
20 May 2004
Three
to die for Trisha murder
The
High Court yesterday rejected appeal and confirmed the death sentence
to three young men awarded by the lower court for harrying to death
a 10-year-old schoolgirl of Gaibandha in 2002. On September 30, 2002,
District and sessions judge of Gaibandha handed down the death sentence
to Mehdi Hassan Modern, 19, Mohammad Shahin, 20, and Ariful Islam Asha,
19, for murder of Sadia Sultana Trisha, a student of class four. -UNB,
20 May 2004
EC
asks officials to act against code violators
The
Election Commission (EC) yesterday asked returning officers responsible
for next month's parliamentary by-polls to take stern action against
people violating election code of conduct. Chief Election Commissioner
MA Syed expressed dissatisfaction over frequent violation of the code
and attacks on Bikalpa Dhara supporters.They would discuss deployment
of army in the constituencies when it sits to review law and order on
May 22. -The Daily Star, 20 May 2004
Official
Secrecy Act to liberalise
Law,
Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed said
that the government is examining the Official Secrecy Act to liberalise
it as much as possible. The "Right to Information", another law is being
scrutinised which would exclude some of harsh provisions of the Official
Secrecy Act, the minister said. When it enacted, would enable the people
and the media to get"quality and accurate" information. -The Independent,
20May 2004
Waiting
for justice for 12 years
After
27 hearings at the High Court (HC) Division and 21 at the Supreme Court
(SC) Appellate Division, the Billal Hossain Bepari murder case filed
more than 12 years ago is still awaiting verdict. During the course
of trial, judges felt embarrassed, public prosecutors were transferred
and 9 of the 34 prosecution witnesses declared hostile. The case remained
suspended ever since the SC stayed its proceedings on October 22, 1998.After
more than five years, the case finally resume after the SC vacated the
stay order last week. -The Daily Star, 21 May 2004
Plan
for prisoners to work in community
The
government is planning to introduce community service for prisoners,
who are convicted in criminal cases and sentenced to jail for a maximum
of five years, would be freed on condition of giving prescribed community
service and treated as community prisoners. Where they would be allowed
to stay with their families and have to report regularly to an official
assigned by the government apart from doing community service. The cabinet
committee on jail reforms is working on the proposed system that is
still on the drawing board. The United Nations Develop-ment Programme
(UNDP) has already offered to provide the government with both technical
and other assistance for introduction of the community prisoner system.
-The Daily Star, 21 May 2004
