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“All Citizens are Equal before Law and are Entitled to Equal Protection of Law”-Article 27 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh



Issue No: 194
June 18, 2005

This week's issue:
Law Alter Views
Law Opinion
Fact File
Rights Column
Star Law Analysis
Human Rights Advocacy
Law Event
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Law week

Bidisha not freed after granted bail
Former military ruler HM Ershad's estranged wife Bidisha was not released from the jail despite her obtaining an ad-interim bail in the passport forgery case, as the authorities showed her arrested the same day in a cheating case.
Ershad filed the case with the Court of First Class Magistrate, Dhaka on June 5 on charges of her hiding her marriage with a British Peter Stuart Wilson from him and marrying him without divorcing Wilson. Yesterday, Ershad's lawyers filed a petition with the Court of First Class Magistrate, Dhaka for showing Bidisha arrested in the cheating case and sending a custody warrant to the Dhaka Central Jail. Later, Magistrate Rehana Yasmin issued the warrant, which was sent to the jail. The news of the case broke when relatives and lawyers were waiting for Bidisha's release at the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital (BSMMUH) where she was undergoing treatment under police watch. The Daily Star, June 14.

Law secy tells of judges' corruption
Law Secretary Alauddin Sardar said there are widespread allegations of corruption against some judges and the staff of the Dhaka District and Sessions Judge's Court. While speaking at the inaugural function of a computer training programme for the staff of Dhaka judgeship, the law secretary alerted all concerned in this regard. Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Moudud Ahmed inaugurated the training programme at the judges' court conference room. State Minister for Law Shahjahan Omar also spoke at the function chaired by Dhaka District and Sessions Judge Mohammad Rafiqul Islam.

Asking all to work to bring back people's confidence in the judiciary, Moudud Ahmed said the government has amended different laws to ease the way of justice to litigants. Moudud termed the amendments a landmark step which has already quickened trial and justice to the litigants. Lauding Dhaka District and Sessions Judge Mohammad Rafiqul Islam for arranging such a timely training programme taking no fund from the government, the law minister said such computer training programmes will also be introduced in all judgeships across the country. The Daily Star, June 15.

Sex abuse trial pop superstar Jackson found not guilty
Michael Jackson walked out of court a free man, cleared of all charges in a dramatic sex abuse trial that threatened to destroy his career and send him to prison for nearly two decades.

Jackson gripped the hand of his lead attorney, Tom Mesereau, and dabbed at his face with a tissue as the verdicts were read to a courtroom packed with reporters and about three dozen fans of the 46-year-old entertainer, many of whom broke into prayers or sobs. Defence lawyer Susan Yu and Jackson's mother, Katherine, wiped away tears as he was hustled from the courtroom and returned to his sprawling Neverland Valley ranch -- where a teenage boy had claimed the singer molested him after nights of heavy drinking.

Jackson, who looked expressionless and gaunt as he left the court, refused comment but blew a kiss to waiting fans. He faced nearly two decades in prison if convicted on 10 counts of lewd acts with a child, giving a minor alcohol and conspiring to commit child abduction, extortion and false imprisonment. The case against Jackson was sparked by a February 2003 television documentary in which the singer was shown holding hands with his accuser and defending his practice of sharing a bed with young boys. Reuters, Santa Maria, June 15.

Mobile courts hit road to nab adulterators
The Daily Star reports prompt home ministry action
Two mobile courts begin a round-the-year operations to hunt down unscrupulous traders who spray chemicals on fruits, a serious health concern. "We're very alarmed at this (spraying of chemicals) and we want it to be checked immediately," State Minister for Home Lutfozzaman Babar said. "The mobile courts will work regularly from now on," Babar told reporters after a high-level meeting on law and order at the home ministry.

The courts, each headed by a metropolitan magistrate, will primarily work in the capital. Two platoons of police and four vehicles will be kept ready round-the-clock to rush to the spot to arrest dishonest traders. The move came after trial raids on Tuesday when 12 people were held with chemically poisoned mangoes in Old Dhaka. A mobile court sentenced five of them to six months' imprisonment. The home ministry had ordered the raids. The Daily Star on Tuesday carried a report titled 'Food tainted with toxic colours, risky mixings'.

Experts said traders use carbide for artificial ripening and preservation of fruits, especially mango. "Mixing hazardous chemicals is a punishable act for which the offender could be awarded a maximum of six months' imprisonment," said Magistrate Mamun-Al-Rashid, who headed the mobile court on Tuesday. The meeting also decided to strengthen security at city markets that recently saw some burglaries, the latest one on Friday at Rapa Plaza. Close circuit televisions (CCTV) will be set up to watch the movement of the market-goers, the meeting decided. Deputy commissioners (DCs) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police have been instructed to supervise setting up the CCTV by market committees. The Daily Star, June 16.

Aug 21 Grenade Attack
Interpol invited to probe 'disclosures'

The government has invited Interpol to carry out a follow-up probe into last year's grisly grenade attack on an Awami League rally following 'disclosure of crucial clues' by two recent high-profile arrestees. "We've got some crucial clues regarding the August 21 grenade attack," State Minister for Home Lutfozzaman Babar told reporters yesterday, referring to the interrogation of top terror Arman Khan and former city corporation ward commissioner and AL leader Mokhlesur Rahman. On the expected time for the arrival of Interpol members, Babar, emerging out of a law and order meeting at the Home Ministry conference room yesterday, said, "I hope, very soon." Asked whether the government is going to invite the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for the investigation, Babar said: "We're not planning to invite them at this moment. But they are always welcome, if they want to investigate."

A letter was sent to the Interpol Headquarters at Lyon in France Monday, requesting agents to assist Bangladeshi investigators following the reported 'disclosures' made by Arman and Mokhlesur. Twenty people including AL's women affairs secretary Ivy Rahman were killed and hundred others were injured when unknown assailants hurled several grenades at the AL rally on the Bangabandhi Avenue. Prothom Alo, June 16.


Corresponding with the Law Desk
Please send your mails, queries, and opinions to: Law Desk, The Daily Star 19 Karwan Bazar, Dhaka-1215; telephone 8124944,8124955,fax 8125155;email <dslawdesk@yahoo.co.uk,lawdesk@thedailystar.net

 
 
 


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