Law-&-Order
HC asks BTRC to remove Tarique's speeches from social media; judges leave courtroom amid pro-BNP lawyers’ loud protests
The High Court today (August 28, 2023) directed Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to remove all speeches and video content of BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman from social media platforms.
Justice Md. Khasruzzaman and Justice Md Khairul Alam passed the order.
However, the courtroom witnessed a chaotic scene as pro-BNP lawyers were loudly protesting the order.
At one point, Justice Md. Khasruzzaman and Justice Md Khairul Alam left the courtroom amid the cacophony. Pro-BNP lawyers were shouting “shame, shame” while the justices were leaving the courtroom.
BNP’s denial of state role and Tarique’s involvement in Aug 21 grenade attack wanes its credibility, political analysts say
As of 2 pm, the justices did not return to the courtroom.
Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Law Affairs Secretary of BNP, said that a no confidence appeal against the bench had been submitted to the Chief Justice.
The origin of this case traces back to 2015 when Nasreen Siddiqui Lina, a lawyer of the Supreme Court, filed a petition seeking a ban on Tarique Rahman’s videos on social media.
No doubt Khaleda, Tarique and their men were completely involved in Aug 21 grenade attack: PM Hasina
On January 7, 2015, during the hearing of the writ petition, a bench headed by Justice Qazi Reza-ul Hoque and Justice Abu Taher Saifur Rahman issued an interim order alongside a ruling. The order inquired why instruction will not be given for prohibiting the publishing of Tariq Rahman's speeches.
Multiple government officials and media figures, including the Information Secretary, Home Secretary, Law Secretary, Inspector General of Police, Director General of BTV, Chairman of BTRC, Chief News Editor of Ekushey TV, Editor of Kaler Kontho, and Tarique Rahman himself were made respondents.
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After an interval of eight and a half years, Kamrul Islam, a lawyer representing the writ petition, sought a hearing on August 2.
On August 8, as the case was being heard, a confrontation erupted between pro-AL and pro-BNP lawyers.
Man detained over ‘stabbing’ wife, son to death in Rajshahi
A man allegedly stabbed his wife and child to death over a domestic dispute in Tanore upazila of Rajshahi district on Saturday afternoon.
The accused Aliul, 30, was detained in this connection.
The deceased Nipa Khatun, 26, and her son Nur Mohammad, 7, were residents of Mohammadpur Purbopara under Panchandar union parishad of Mundumala municipality in Tanore upazila.
Read: 19-year-old stabbed dead in Faridpur
Quoting Nipa’s family members, Abdur Rahim, officer-in-charge of Tanore police station, said there had long been domestic disputes between the couple.
Nipa and her son had been staying at her father’s house in Panchandar area, he said.
Aliul, a resident of Mohammadpur Purbopara, went to his father-in-law’s house with a sharp weapon and stabbed his wife and son on Saturday afternoon, leaving both dead on the spot, the OC quoted deceased’s family members.
Read: Man stabbed dead in Dhaka’s Jatrabari
Locals apprehended Aliul and handed him over to police, the OC said, adding that the bodies were sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy.
Read: Ex UP member stabbed dead in Jamalpur, 7 detained
A process was underway to file a case in connection with the murders, the police officer added.
RAB arrests sacked driver among three for kidnapping joint tax commissioner
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested three people, including a sacked driver, in connection with the abduction of a woman joint tax Commissioner.
Based on secret information, a joint team of the elite force, comprising the Intelligence wing of the Rab headquarters, Rab-1 and Rab-3 battalions, conducted simultaneous drives in Sreepur of Gazipur district and Sabuj Bagh area of the capital on Friday night.
They arrested the sacked driver Masum alias Masud, 42, and his two associates--Md Abdul Jalil alias Pannu, 48, and Md. Hafiz alias Shahni,48.
During preliminary interrogation, the arrested persons gave information about their involvement in the abduction.
The female Joint Tax Commissioner of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) was kidnapped by some miscreants from Baily Road under Ramna police station on August 17 evening. Later, 18 hours after the abduction, local people rescued her from Madartek area of the capital on August 18.
READ: BGB seizes six gold bars worth Tk58 lakh near Satkhira border
A case was filed with Ramna police station under the Prevention of Women and Child Abuse Act accusing the former car driver Masum alias and his two other accomplices on August 19.
Briefing reporters at Rab's Karwan Bazar media centre on Saturday, RAB Legal and Media Wing Director Commander Khandaker Al Moin said preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested Masud was earlier working as the woman joint commissioner's private car driver.
She dismissed driver Masud from service due to personal disciplinary reasons. As a result, the arrested Masud developed personal anger and resentment towards her, the RAB's Director (Media) said.
Commander Moin said during interrogation, arrested Masud revealed that the first husband of the female joint commissioner's former husband Haroon Or Rashid contacted him after he was sacked from her job. Harun offered driver Masud a huge amount of money and a better life in exchange for kidnapping his ex-wife and dropping her at a house in the capital's Hatirjheel area. Harun gave Masud an advance of Tk 70,000.
READ: HC summons Naogaon Bar Association president, gen secretary
Later on August 15, driver Masood discussed the matter with his accomplices Hafiz, Panu, Raju, Sabbir, Saiful and Shanta about the plan and distributed the money paid to all of them. They decided to kidnap the woman joint commissioner victim from the capital's Bailey Road area.
According to the plan, they stayed in the Bailey Road area on August 17 evening. When the female joint commissioner reached Bailey Road area by her car from Moghbazar at around 8:15pm, they stopped her car with a motorcycle and a rickshaw as per the plan. When her driver got down to move the motorcycle and rickshaw, they beat him up and the arrested Masud sat on the driving seat of the vehicle and took control of the vehicle.
At that time the arrested Panu along with other accomplices got into the car and forcibly abducted the victim and proceeded to Hatirjheel and informed the victim's ex-husband Harun about the abduction. He then gave them the address of a house in Hatirjheel and asked them to take her there. But when they went there, they found the main gate of that house closed, so they started wasting time by driving her to different areas of the capital. Later, at around midnight, she was taken to a known garage of Masud in Kanchpur area. They allegedly tortured her and demanded a ransom of Tk 50 lakh from her and took away Tk 1.50 lakh in cash and mobile phone from her.
READ: MoFA official lands in Madaripur jail in case of dowry and torture filed by wife
Later on 18 August at around 1030 am, they took her to Madartek area and stayed till Friday prayers. At that time, when the arrested Masud contacted her first husband, he asked them to take them there after Friday prayers. Later, when it was lunch time, Masud, Raju and Sabbi went to get food and Panu, Saiful and Shanto stayed outside the car. At that time, when the victim started shouting, the local people rescued the victim and nabbed Saiful, Sabbir and Raju but Masud, Panu and Shanta managed to escape from the spot.
Later the police came and took the victim into custody and arrested Saiful, Sabbir and Raju and recovered the victim's laptop and mobile phone from them.
BGB seizes six gold bars worth Tk58 lakh near Satkhira border
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized six gold bars weighing around 701 grams from Kakdanga frontier under Kolaroa upazila in Satkhira district on Saturday.
The paramilitary member also arrested one person identified as Faruque Hossain in connection with the incident.
Sources at the BGB's Satkhira Battalion (33 BGB) headquarters, said it had a secret information that a gold consignment will be smuggled from Bangladesh to India through the Kakdanga border. Based on the information, an operational team of the BGB led by Naib Subedar of Kakdanga BOP, Md. Abu Taher Patwari took a strategic position in the area of Kakdanga Botgachthala Pakarasta in the morning.
When Faruque was seen walking towards the border in a van and was suspiciously stopped by the BGB raiding party. Later, the BGB raid team searched his van and recovered six gold bars. The weight of recovered gold is around 701 grams and present market value is at Tk 58 lakh, said commanding officer of the BGB 33 battalion Lt. Col. Md. Ashraful Haque.
A case was registered against the detained person in Kalaroa police station, the CO said and adding that the arrestee was handed over to the police station.
Man beaten to death by mob in Pabna suspecting thief
A man was beaten to death by a lynch-mob accusing him of being a cattle thief in Ishwardi upazila of Pabna early Friday.
The deceased Babu, 45, was a resident of Bera upazila in the district.
Locals said cattle farmer Idris Ali screamed saying that someone was taking away his cattle from a barn in Goalbathan village under Muladali union of the upazila around 1am.
Read: 1 killed in lynch-mob attack in Jashore
Hearing this, neighbours came out of their houses and caught Babu and gave him a good thrashing, leaving him dead on the spot, they said.
Hasan Basir, inspector (investigation) of Ishwardi police station, confirmed the death of the man saying that the body was under their custody and it will be handed over to his family after completing legal procedures.
Read more: Man killed in lynch-mob attack in Faridpur
Rohingya woman killed in Cox’s Bazar camp
A Rohingya woman was slaughtered to death allegedly by her husband over a family feud in a camp of Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar.
The deceased Adiya Khatun, 23, was wife of one Nur Kamal in bloc-D under the camp No. 25 of Teknaf Rohingya camp.
Locals said the couple locked into an altercation and at one stage the husband attacked his wife with a sharp weapon.
Read: 18-year-old shot dead in Kutupalong Rohingya camp
Sayed Jubayer, officer-in-charge of Teknaf Model Police Station, said on information they rushed to the spot and found the body was taken to an NGO-run hospital where physicians declared her dead upon arrival.
The body was sent to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy, he said, adding that a process was underway to file a case in this connection.
The accused is now on the run and an effort is on to nab him, the OC added.
Read more: Rohingya man stabbed to death in Cox’s Bazar camp
Hasina-Xi talks in Johannesburg showcased world example of relations between developing countries: Ambassador Yao
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has said the Johannesburg meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Chinese President Xi Jinping showcased for one more time to the world the example of relations between developing countries jointly set up by Bangladesh and China.
“It was the first face-to-face meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since the latter’s formal visit to China four years ago. We have long been waiting for this meeting. It would definitely tide up new momentum for our bilateral relations,” he told UNB in his first interview since arrival in Dhaka, noting that it is his sacred mission to fully implement the consensus reached by the two leaders to push the “Strategic Partnership of Cooperation” between the two countries to a new level.
As briefed by Ambassador Yao, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Xi Jinping spoke highly of the traditional friendship and good relations between Bangladesh and China “based on mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs”.
Also read: China to support Bangladesh in joining BRICS: XI tells Hasina during talks
They reassured mutual support on issues of respective core interests.
Satisfied by joint achievements made under the umbrella of Belt and Road cooperation, the two leaders vowed to further strengthen integration of development strategies, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and enhance all-round exchanges, so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples.
During this meeting held on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, Bangladesh showed interest in strengthening cooperation with China in the bloc and other multilateral mechanisms.
The Chinese leader congratulated Bangladesh on joining the New Development Bank, and vowed to enhance coordination and cooperation with Bangladesh in multilateral affairs to safeguard international fairness and justice and serve the common interests of developing countries.
“From the minute of the meeting, all we read is mutual support and joint cooperation, with no hint of any difference,” said Yao, stressing that interactions between top leaders provide political and strategic guidance for development of bilateral relations, the importance of which would never be exaggerated.
“It is high on my agenda to facilitate more in-person visits and meetings of this kind in the days to come,” he added.
Relations in Challenging Situation
Ambassador Yao said China and Bangladesh share significant commonalities in terms of moral values, national dreams and development paths.
“Since President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina jointly upgraded our bilateral relations to Strategic Partnership of Cooperation in 2016, we have set a model of friendly ties between developing countries for the world at large,” he said.
China now stands as the single largest trade partner and a key development partner of Bangladesh. “Wherever I go in Bangladesh, the local people would always give me thumbs-up for China-Bangladesh friendship,” the ambassador said.
At international arenas, China and Bangladesh both stand for peace and development. “We share similar views on hotspot issues like the Ukraine crisis. China’s effort to help resume Saudi-Iran diplomatic relations was also welcomed in Bangladesh,” he said.
“China is working with Bangladesh in meeting regional and global challenges, such as the repatriation of displaced people from Rakhine State of Myanmar, tackling climate change, upholding the right to development, and supporting the UN peacekeeping efforts,” the envoy added.
“Based on equal footing, mutual respect, joint development and common commitment to peace, relations between China and Bangladesh infuse the power of certainty and stability to an increasingly trembling world,” he said.
Non-Intervention in Upcoming Election
“China supports Bangladesh in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity,” President Xi said in the Johannesburg meeting, adding that China upholds Bangladesh’s efforts to fend off external interference and maintain domestic unity and stability, so as to ensure development and revitalization.
Yao said the upcoming election is an internal affair of Bangladesh, and their policy is very consistent that China never intervenes in any country’s internal affairs.
“The future of Bangladesh shall be determined by the Bangladeshi people,” said the ambassador adding “China is full of confidence for the better future of Bangladesh as well as China-Bangladesh relations.”
For the time being, over 600 Chinese enterprises are functioning in Bangladesh, and tens of thousands of Chinese citizens are living and working here.
Also read: Hasina-Xi Talks in Jo'burg: Dhaka wants to discuss regional stability, trade, investment issues with Beijing
According to Ambassador Yao, the Chinese companies proactively undertake social responsibilities on boosting local economy, protecting the environment, providing social services to host communities, help create job opportunities, build capacity for manpower and promote charity. “With their contribution and efforts, the hearts of the two peoples are brought together ever closer,” he said.
When asked whether he is concerned about the interests of Chinese companies and citizens in the context of heated political air, Yao replied that the Chinese people are here for friendship and joint development with Bangladeshi people. “Their safety and security should surely be guaranteed, and their lawful interests should be protected,” he opined.
Priorities Ahead
Bangladesh and China will celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2025. “It would be a perfect occasion to review achievements in the past and map forward for the future,” the ambassador said.
He promised that China would do its part to help Bangladesh to graduate from the LDCs by 2026, and fuel up joint development to achieve respective national dreams which are “well-connected”.
“Practical cooperation is the cornerstone of China-Bangladesh relations. While implementing projects agreed during high-level visits back in 2016 and 2019, we will take the initiative with Bangladesh to figure out more under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Global Development Initiative (GDI) on connectivity infrastructure, renewable power section, blue economy, digital empowerment, so on and so forth,” said the Chinese envoy.
In terms of trade, he said, local exporters are encouraged to fully leverage China’s 98% zero-tariff treatment for Bangladeshi products and showcase the brand of “Made in Bangladesh” on expositions held in China, such as China International Import Expo, China-South Asia Expo and Canton Fair.
The Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Chittagong should eye on high-end and high-value industries to serve the Smart Bangladesh development strategy as well as the high-quality development paradigm of China, he said.
“We’d encourage Chinese entrepreneurs to increase investment in promising fields like new energy, ICT, advanced manufacturing, and agri-product processing,” Ambassador Yao said, adding that he would also push forward the cooperation on disaster management and relief, military exchanges, law enforcement coordination and maritime cooperation during his tenure in Dhaka.
“Of course, as the Chinese ambassador, I’d play my role in mediating between Bangladesh and Myanmar to facilitate the early and sustainable repatriation of displaced people from Rakhine State,” he underscored.
BRI Project
“The Belt and Road Initiative has brought about tangible benefit for the Bangladeshi people,” Ambassador Yao said, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina described BRI a ‘trailblazer’ for Bangladesh’s development.”
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the launching of BRI and the 7th anniversary of Bangladesh’s participation in the initiative.
“In recent years, we’ve witnessed completion of a good number of projects built under the BRI that have significantly changed the development landscape of Bangladesh, such as the Info-Sarker phase 3 project, the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center, the Payra Thermal Power Plant, the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant, among others,” he said.
“Connectivity will be further improved between the Southwestern part and the rest of the country when the Banglabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under the Karnaphuri River and the First Section of the Padma Bridge Railway Link open for traffic by the end of this year,” he noted.
Asked about the latest status of on-going development projects, he said that projects like Modernization of Telecommunication Network for Digital Connectivity and the Installation of Single Point Mooring with Double Pipeline Project will be completed soon.
“The Rajshahi WASA Surface Water Treatment Plant will start its construction, and the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project is also under discussion between authorities of the two sides,” he added.
HC summons Naogaon Bar Association president, gen secretary
The High Court on Thursday summoned the president and the general secretary of Naogaon Bar Association to explain why any lawyer did not stand for the accused in a theft case at the house of a lawyer in Naogaon Bar Association .
The High Court asked them to appear in court at 10 am on Wednesday, August 30, and give an explanation.
Read: MoFA official lands in Madaripur jail in case of dowry and torture filed by wife
The High Court bench of Justice Md Rezaul Haque and Justice Shashank Shekhar Sarkar passed the order during the hearing the transfer of the case from Naogaon court, Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik confirmed.
The Deputy Attorney General said that the court has directed the district judge and the district commissioner to ensure the presence of the president and secretary of the bar association.
Read: Amassing illegal wealth: Regent's chairman Shahed jailed for 3 years
Besides, the court asked the Attorney General to be present during the hearing on August 30.
MoFA official lands in Madaripur jail in case of dowry and torture filed by wife
A court in Madaripur on Thursday sent an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to jail after his wife filed a case accusing him of demanding dowry, hiding his alleged first marriage and torture.
Madaripur Chief Judicial Magistrate Mamunur Rashid passed the order after accused Md Abdul Wadud Akanda,37, counselor (political) at Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi appeared before the court to answer the accusations following a summon.
Read: Show zero tolerance against drug dealers: IGP
The court denied him bail and sent him to jail after a long hearing on the accusations, said Madaripur Bar Association secretary Advocate Golam Kibria .
According to the plaintiff Zareen Rafa Nilanti, 26, the couple got married on April 17, 2019 and they have a daughter. But she later came to know that her husband suppressed the fact about an earlier marriage to another woman.
Read: Appellate Division orders BNP leader Nipun Roy to surrender within 8 weeks
On October 7, 2022, sitting at the house of one of plaintiff's relatives, the accused demanded Tk 40 lakh and a 5 katha plot in dowry from Zareen, according to the case.
Man to die for killing teenage girl after rape in Munshiganj
A Munshiganj court on Thursday sentenced a man to death for killing a teenage girl after rape in 2018.
The condemned convict is Md Khokon, 35, owner of a tailoring shop and son of Babul Mia of Sirajdikhan upazila of the district.
Read:96 Jamaat-Shibir men indicted involving alleged violence in Motijheel
Munshiganj Women and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Faizunnesa handed down the punishment. The court also sentenced him to seven years imprisonment for hiding the body and fined him Tk 7,000.
According to the prosecution, 17-year-old Laila Akter Limu went to a tailoring shop named ‘Dorji Ghar’ at Chan Super Market of Baroikhali Bazar in Srinagar upazila of the district to make a dress for her on August 28, 2018.
Read: Man arrested from Dhaka over rape of 4-year-old in Chapainawabganj
Khokon kept the girl confined tactfully to his shop and violated her. He then killed the girl after strangulating her and dumped the body in the Icchamoti River.
On August 31, local people spotted the body of Limu. Later police arrested Khokon.
Read:2 get life imprisonment in Cumilla drug case
Abdul Matin, father of Limu. filed a case with Srinagar Police.
After examining records and witnesses, Munshiganj Women and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Faizunnesa pronounced the verdict.