Law-&-Order
HC stays trial against journo Kajol in a case of illegally entering Bangladesh
The High Court on Monday stayed for six months the trial proceedings of a case filed by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) against journalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol for illegally entering Bangladesh.The HC bench of Justice SM Kuddus Zaman and Justice Md Aminul Islam passed the order after hearing a petition seeking cancellation of the case.Advocate Nazmus Shakib stood for journalist Kajol in the court while Deputy Attorney General Sujit Chatterjee Bappi stood for the state.
Read: Nixon Chowdhury appears in court over election code violation chargesLater, Sujit Chatterjee said that the High Court stayed the proceedings of the case for six months.Journalist Kajol went missing on March 11, 2020 from the capital's Chawkbazar area. Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrested him from Sadipur field along the Benapole border in Jashore on May 2, 53 days after he went missing from Dhaka.Later, on May 3, 2020, BGB filed a case against journalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol under the Illegal Entry Act.
Petition to stay election schedule: HC fixes Dec 10 for decision
The hearing on the details of the writ petition filed to stay the upcoming 12th National election ended in the High Court on Monday.
The High Court bench led by Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Atabullah, fixed December 10 (Sunday) for passing an order in this regard on Monday.
Advocate Yunus Ali Akanda spoke in favour of the petition in the court, while Attorney General AM Amin Uddin represented the state. Deputy Attorney General Tushar Kanti Roy provided assistance on behalf of the state. Barrister Khan Muhammad Shamim Aziz appeared on behalf of the Election Commission.
At a stage during the hearing, Advocate Yunus Ali Akanda, the petitioner's lawyer, stated, "I was a parliamentary candidate in 2018. Voting took place at night. The court asked, whether any case was filed regarding the night voting and was there any evidence or witnesses. At that time, Yunus said, “I am a witness to the night voting along with 18 crore people."
Earlier, theanother election's validity was challenged while the current parliament was in session. Yunus filed the writ petition in the relevant branch of the High Court last Wednesday. The petition included the Chief Election Commissioner, the Election Commission Secretary, the Secretary of the Ministry of Law, and seven others as defendants. The lawyer had sent a legal notice last Tuesday.
The notice highlighted the ongoing political crisis in the country, stating that strikes and blockades are ongoing, making it impossible to conduct fair elections. In addition, candidates have the obligation to submit their tax returns with their nomination papers.
However, the deadline for submitting tax returns is November 30, while, according to the Election Commission, the deadline for submitting nomination papers is also November 30. Therefore, it remains uncertain how candidates will be able to submit their tax returns along with their nomination papers, it said
Due to the impact of strikes and blockades, independent candidates are not prepared to participate in the election. In light of this situation, the Election Commission requested more time to announce details behind the postponed election date, it added.
End/UNB/Corr/MB
Govt officials can’t contest polls within 3 years of retirement: HC
The High Court on Monday said the government officials cannot contest the general election within three years of their retirement.A bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque came up with the order after rejecting a rule.On January 19, the High Court issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the provision of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) prohibiting the military and civil government officials in contesting the general election within three years of their retirement should not be declared illegal.The court issued the rule after hearing a writ petition filed by former military officer Brigadier General Md Shamim Kamal challenging the provision that did not allow the government officers to participate in the parliamentary election within three years of their retirement.
Read: 12th parliamentary elections: EC approves transfer of 47 UNOsThe Chief Election Commissioner, secretaries to the Law Ministry, the Home Ministry, the Public Administration Ministry, the Local Government Ministry and the deputy commissioner of Lalmonirhat have been made respondents to the rule, which is returnable in four weeks.According to the section 12 (1) (f) of the Representation of the People Order (RPO)-1972 the government employees, who have resigned or retired from any job of the republic or statutory government authority or the Department of Defence Service, won’t be able to participate in the national parliamentary elections until three years of resignation or retirement.Challenging the law, former military officer Shamim Kamal filed a petition.
HC fixes Dec 7 to hear Fakhrul’s bail plea in CJ’s residence vandalising case
The High Court (HC) on Monday fixed December 7 to hear a bail petition filed by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in a case over vandalising Chief Justice's residence during a BNP rally on October 28.
The HC bench of Justice Md Selim and Justice Shahed Nuruddin set the date as advocate Sagir Hossain Leon filed the bail petition on behalf of Fakhrul with the concerned bench of the High Court on Sunday.
Earlier on November 22, Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court rejected the bail petition of the BNP secretary general in the same case.
On October 29, police filed a case with Ramna Police Station on charges of vandalism and attack on the Chief Justice's residence during a BNP rally on October 28.
Apart from Mirza Fakhrul, 59 leaders and activists, including BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas, were accused in the case.
The BNP secretary general was arrested in the case on October 29. Later, a bail petition was filed with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court of Dhaka. The court sent him to jail rejecting his bail petition.
48-hour blockade: 154 BGB platoons, 424 RAB patrol teams deployed
A total of 154 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed across the country to maintain law and order as the latest 48-hour countrywide blockade of road, rail and waterways called by the BNP and like-minded opposition parties is underway for the second consecutive day today.
Shariful Islam, public relations officer (PRO) at BGB headquarters, confirmed the development this morning.
Read: 9th blockade: 162 BGB platoons, 435 RAB patrol teams deployed
Today, on the second day of the blockade, 20 BGB platoons have been deployed in Dhaka and adjoining districts to resist any untoward incident.
The remaining 134 platoons of the border force have been deployed across the country along with other forces, the BGB official said.
Members of the paramilitary force have been performing their duties to ensure the safety of lives and property in the country since the opposition parties began observing blockades and hartals since end of October.
Along with the BGB platoons, 424 patrol teams of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have been deployed across the country.
Among them, 132 patrols teams were deployed in Dhaka amidst increasing arson violence.
RAB is ensuring the security of long-distance public transport and goods-carrying transport in different parts of the country, said Imran Khan, assistant superintendent of police (ASP) at the media wing of the RAB headquarters.
Read: Daylong hartal: 161 BGB platoons, 442 RAB patrol teams deployed
BNP and like-minded opposition parties called the blockade after the general election schedule was announced by the Election Commission.
The blockades have been marked by incidents of arson attacks and violence with poor public response to the street programme.
Read more: 48-hour blockade: 230 BGB platoons, 430 RAB patrol teams deployed
Blockade: Two buses burnt in Ctg, helper injured
Miscreants set fire to two buses in Dampara and Akbar Shah areas of Chattogram city last night during the ongoing 48-hour blockade called by BNP and like-minded opposition parties.
A helper of another bus sustained burn injuries when he was trying to douse the flame in Dampara area.
The injured helper Md Nazim Uddin said that 10 to 12 youths carrying torches showed up at a ticket counter of Saudia Paribahan in Dampara area around 10 pm.
Read: Passenger bus torched in Dhaka’s Gulistan
A double decker of Relax Paribahan was parked in front of the counter. The men with torches broke the glass of the bus and set fire to it, he said, adding that the miscreants instantly left the scene.
The helper said his right hand was burnt when he tried to douse the fire.
Read: Another bus torched in Dhaka
Khulshi police station’s Officer-in-Charge Rubel Hawlader confirmed the incident, saying that they were trying to identify the perpetrators.
Miscreants also set fire to a parked bus on Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Akbar Shah area around 9:35 pm last night.
On information, two firefighting units rushed to the spot and doused the flame immediately, said deputy assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defence department (Agrabad division office) Md Abdur Razzak.
Fortunately no one was injured in the incident, he added.
Read more: Bus torched in Dhaka’s Jatrabari
Latest blockade continues in a lax manner
The second day of the latest 48-hour countrywide blockade, called by BNP and like-minded opposition parties, is underway in a lax manner with regular vehicular movement on the streets this morning.
The blockade started at 6 am yesterday and it will come to an end at 6 am tomorrow.
With this, BNP and like-minded opposition parties have observed nine blockades since October 31.
Presence of public transport on Dhaka streets and commuters seemed to be higher compared to previous blockades, despite tension and fear of arson attacks.
Read: Blockade: Driver burnt after truck set on fire in Gazipur
Law enforcers were seen patrolling the streets and remained deployed at several important points of Dhaka.
Vehicles of media outlets, ambulances and vehicles transporting oxygen cylinders and medicines remain out of the purview of the blockade.
Last night, miscreants set fire to three buses parked in Bara Harishpur area of Natore city during the ongoing blockade.
Read: Yet another blockade called by BNP, like-minded opposition parties underway
Moreover, two buses were burnt in Dampara and Akbar Shah areas of Chattogram city last night.
A helper of another bus sustained burn injuries when he was trying to douse the flame in Dampara area.
Read more: BNP-led opposition’s 48-hr blockade begins Sunday
9th blockade: 162 BGB platoons, 435 RAB patrol teams deployed
A total of 162 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed across the country to maintain law and order as the latest 48-hour countrywide blockade of road, rail and waterways called by the BNP and like-minded opposition parties is underway since this morning.
Shariful Islam, public relations officer (PRO) at BGB headquarters, confirmed the development this morning.
Today, on the first day of the latest blockade, 23 BGB platoons have been deployed in Dhaka and adjoining districts to resist any untoward incident.
The remaining platoons of the border force have been deployed across the country along with other forces, the BGB official said.
Members of the paramilitary force have been performing their duties to ensure the safety of lives and property since the opposition parties began observing blockades and hartals since October end.
Read: BGB chief to subordinates: 'Prepare to uphold internal law and order ahead of elections'
Along with the BGB platoons, 435 patrol teams of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have been deployed across the country.
Among them, 141 patrols teams were deployed in Dhaka amidst increasing arson violence.
RAB is ensuring the security of long-distance public transport and goods-carrying transport in different parts of the country, said Imran Khan, assistant superintendent of police (ASP) at the media wing of the RAB headquarters.
Read: Daylong hartal: 161 BGB platoons, 442 RAB patrol teams deployed
BNP and like-minded opposition parties have already observed blockades in eight phases to mount pressure on the Awami League government to quit power and hold the next general election under a non-partisan administration.
The blockades have been marked by incidents of arson attacks and violence, with poor public response to the street programme.
Read more: 48-hour blockade: 230 BGB platoons, 430 RAB patrol teams deployed
Gold worth Tk 7-cr seized at Airport; 4 held
In a joint special drive, Airport Armed Police Battalion (APBn), National Security Intelligence (NSI) and Dhaka Customs House detained four people along with gold weighing 6.956kg at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Friday night, stretching into early Saturday.
Airport Armed Police Battalion (APBn) Additional Superintendent of Police, Mohammad Ziaul Haque told media on Saturday (December 2) evening.
The detainees have been named as Md Ali Hossain, Jasim Uddin, Litu Mia and Jummon Khan.
Md Ali Hossain arrived at the Airport on a US Bangla Airlines flight from Dubai at 5am on Saturday.
The three others arrived at the airport by a different flight six hours earlier, at 11pm on Friday.
During the drive, the law enforcement agencies recovered the gold in paste form, biscuits and gold ornaments, Md Ziaul Haque said, quoting the national intelligence agency, NSI.
Haque said that APBn, NSI and Customs conducted a joint operation at the airport. They challenged the passengers due to their suspicious movements at the airport.
Later, the detainees were sent to Uttara’s Holy Lab Diagnostic Center for X-Rays and sure enough, gold bars were found in their rectums.
All the gold, worth around Tk7cr at market prices, was eventually recovered from them, said the officer.
A case was filed at the airport police station.
BGB chief to subordinates: 'Prepare to uphold internal law and order ahead of elections'
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General (DG) Major General AKM Nazmul Hasan on Saturday directed his forces to remain ready to maintain internal law and order ahead of the forthcoming 12th parliamentary elections, billed for January 7 next.
He came up with the directive in a views-exchange meeting with the BGB members while inspecting border areas in Sylhet’s Sreemangal and Kurigram on Saturday.
DG Nazmul gave directives to the BGB members to always work for the country with highest professionalism.
He ordered the BGB personnel to perform duty to resist drugs and arms smuggling through borders along with developing bilateral relations.
As part of regular activity, the BGB head inspected the Mymensingh sector, operational, training and administrative functions of the BGB there.
Senior officials of BGB headquarters, Sarail Region Commander, Sreemangal sector commander, Mymensingh sector commander and commanders of concerned battalions and other officials were present during the visit.