Law-&-Order
Digital Security Act to be replaced by Cyber Security Act 2023
The government of Bangladesh has decided to replace the Digital Security Act with Cyber Security Act 2023, in which sections of the existing law will be amended.
Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq confirmed the development today (August 07, 2023).
Read: ARTICLE 19 concerned by DSA case against RTV reporter
The decision came after a meeting of the Cabinet Division chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this morning, he added.
The cabinet approved the draft in principle, the law minister said.
The name of the law has been changed, and some sections of the law have been amended, the minister added.
Read more: Digital Security Act to be amended: Law Minister
The minister further said that after the amendment, there will no longer be any provision for jail term; only the provision of fines will be kept.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government is working for the people, he said, adding, "We have taken measures to stop the misuse and abuse of DSA through some amendments."
Earlier on May 3, Anisul Huq said that Digital Security Act will not be repealed but necessary amendments will be made.
The DSA was enacted on October 8, 2018 with the aim of preventing the spread of sectarianism, extremism, terrorist propaganda, and hatred against religious or ethnic minorities through social media, print media or any other electronic media.
However, since its inception, DSA was criticized heavily for its misuse.
Shariatpur ASP's unconditional apology rejected
The High Court on Sunday rejected the ‘unconditional apology’ of Shariatpur Naria (Circle) Additional Superintendent of Police Russel Monir and officer-in-charge of Padma Bridge South Police Station Sheikh Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman over their alleged involvement in torturing some accused and their relatives for extortion of Tk 72 lakh.
When they sought unconditional apology, the court told their lawyer, “There is no chance of unconditional forgiveness. Protect the dignity of the High Court. Let the court be like a court.”
Earlier on the day, the High Court summoned Shariatpur Senior Judicial Magistrate Al Imran, who ordered the accused to be sent to jail. He has been asked to appear in person on August 20. Two police officers have also been asked to be present on the day. The court will pass further orders in their presence.
Read: 2.19 kg heroin seized in Cox’s Bazar
The HC bench of Justice Mostafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Aminul Islam passed the order on Sunday. Advocate Shah Monjurul Haque appeared for the two police officers in the court. Deputy Attorney General Sarwar Hossain Bappi appeared for the state where Advocate Mojibur Rahman appeared for the accused.
On June 11, Advocate Mojibur drew the attention of the court about the incident after attaching a report published in a national daily. Then the court asked to submit a written petition.
According to the report, two policemen—ASP Russel Monir and Mostafizur- unleashed torture on some accused and their relatives and extorted Tk 72 lakh.
Read: Two teenagers arrested on terrorism charges in Sunamganj get bail
Abu Jafar, elder brother of one of the accused, submitted a written complaint to the Superintendent of Police.
A three-member probe body, headed by Shariatpur Additional Police Super Muhammad Badiuzzaman, formed to look into the incident.
According to the written complaint, On May 23, a mugging case was filed with Padma Bridge South Police Station. Ahmed Chokdar, Saddam Chokdar, Bakul Chokdar and seven others were made accused in the case. On May 29, Saddam, Saidul and Bakul secured bail from the High Court.
On May 30, they along with another accused Anwar went to the house of Alamgir, a friend of Saddam, in Keraniganj
On Information, SP Monir and OC Mostafizur went to the house along with Jajira Upazila Chhatra League President Rubel and 10/12 policemen.
SP Monir tore down the bail paper and beat Saddam and Bakul up mercilessly with sticks .At one stage, they also gouged out the nails of their hands and toes.
They unleashed the torture on them from 1 am till 8 pm on May 31.
Read: Labour law violation case: SC orders disposal of rule on charge framing against Dr Yunus within two weeks
Later police took the four to Jajira Padma Bridge side blindfolded and took Saidul and Anwar to another place from there .
They threatened Saddam and Bakul that they will be put them in crossfire if they don’t pay Tk 72 lakh..
They also brought Bakul’s wife Sanzida, two years-old son, father Rashid, mother Ramela and cousin Abu Jafar to the police station and assaulted them after confining them.
Later the other relatives of Saddam and Bakul provided Tk 72 lakh to SP Monir and OC Mostafizur through cheques, according to the complaint.
2.19 kg heroin seized in Cox’s Bazar
Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Saturday seized 2.19 kg heroin from a Dhaka-bound bus in Cox’s Bazar Sadar upazila.
Read: Two teenagers arrested on terrorism charges in Sunamganj get bail
The contraband drugs were seized during a drive in the morning, said a press release of 34 BGB Battalion.
Acting on a tip-off, a BGB team led by Shafiqul Islam took position on the highway near Uttar Muhuri Para area in Sadar upazila.
Read: 1 held with gold bars worth Tk 2.2 crore along Chuadanga border
They stopped a bus, conducted a search operation and seized the drugs, added the press release.
Two teenagers arrested on terrorism charges in Sunamganj get bail
A Sunamganj court on Thursday granted bail to two teenagers arrested along with 32 other people in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act while they were on a visit to Tunguar Haor in Tahirpur upazila of Sunamganj.
Judge Md Zakir Hossain of the Sunamganj Juvenile Court granted them bail a bond of Tk 1,000.
Earlier, on Wednesday, a Sumanganj court granted bail to 32 people including 24 students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) who were arrested during their trip to Tanguar Haor.
Read: Labour law violation case: SC orders disposal of rule on charge framing against Dr Yunus within two weeks
Judge Farhan Sadik of Judicial Magistrate Court-4 of Sunamganj passed the order.
Police detained 34 people, including 24 Buet students while they were visiting Tanguar Haor in Tahirpur upazila of Sunamganj district on Sunday.
Rashedul Kabir, sub-inspector of Tahirpur Police Station, filed a case against them under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
All of them were produced before the court on Tuesday.
Read: HC turns down ACC's plea to bar Samrat's travel abroad
The accused went to Tanguar Haor around 7am on Sunday by a boat. A team of police from Tahirpur police station on two speed boats obstructed them while they were heading towards Tekerhat tourist spot and detained the students and two boatmen—Ahadul Mia and Muhaddis Mia.
Syed Iftekhar Hossain, officer-in-charge of Tahirpur Police Station, said they gathered in the area in a bid to hold a clandestine meeting and tried to carry out criminal activities there to embarrass the government.
A press release, issued by Additional Superintendent of Sunamganj police (Amin) Abu Syed, said after primary interrogation it is known that all the arrestees led by Afif Anwar, Baitul Mal Affairs Secretary of Buet unit Islami Chhatra Shibir, gathered there aiming to disturb public safety and create anarchic situation through anti-government activities.
Read: Graft case: Tarique gets 9 years’ jail, Zubaida 3 years
Police also seized 33 mobile phone sets, leaflets and other documents from their possession.
Labour law violation case: SC orders disposal of rule on charge framing against Dr Yunus within two weeks
The Appellate Division on Thursday directed the High Court to dispose of a rule questioning the charge framing against Nobel Laureate and Grameen Telecom Chairman Dr Muhammad Yunus and four others by lower court in a case filed over violation of labour law.
A six-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique passed the order.
Attorney General AM Amin Uddin and Assistant Attorney General M Saiful Alam appeared for the state while Advocate Abdullah Al-Mamun and Advocate Khwaja Tanvir Ahmed appeared for Dr Yunus and four others. Senior Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan appeared for the Directorate of Inspection of Factories and Establishments.
Read: HC turns down ACC's plea to bar Samrat's travel abroad
Earlier, On September 9, 2021, Labour Inspector Arifuzzaman of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, filed the case with Dhaka 3rd Labour Court.
The others accused in the case are- Ashraful Hasan, CEO of Grameen Telecom Trust, trustee Nurjahan Begum and managing director M Shahjahan.
According to the case, in an inspection visit to Grameen Telecom inspectors of the department found that 101 workers and staff who were supposed to be permanent were not made so.
No participation fund and welfare fund was formed for them and five per cent of the company’s profit was not provided to the workers following the law.
Read: Graft case: Tarique gets 9 years’ jail, Zubaida 3 years
Upon a complaint, a criminal case was filed under sections 4, 7, 8, 117, 234 of the Labour Act.
On October 12, the labour court granted bail to all four accused.
Later on December 7, Prof Yunus filed a petition with the High Court seeking scrapping of the case.
On December 12, HC stayed the procedure of a case for six months.
On August 17 last year, the High Court (HC) rejected a petition to scrap the case.
Later Prof Yunus filed a leave to appeal against the High Court verdict.
On June 6 this year, Dhaka Labour Court-3 framed charges against the four accused.
Dr Yunus and three others filed a petition challenging the legality of the charge framing and seeking a stay order on trial proceedings in the case.
Read: Fugitive JMB man arrested from Dhaka’s Bishwa Road area: ATU
The High Court on July 23 issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the indictment order against the four people should not be scrapped.
HC turns down ACC's plea to bar Samrat's travel abroad
The High Court (HC) on Wednesday rejected a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) seeking its order to stop expelled Jubo League leader Ismail Hossain Chowdhury alias Samrat from travelling abroad in a case filed over acquiring wealth beyond the known source of income.
The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the order. As a result, there is no restriction on the accused against going abroad for now.
Also read: Court allows Samrat to go abroad for treatment
Senior advocate Md Khurshid Alam Khan appeared for the ACC in the court while senior advocate Munsurul Haque Chowdhury for Samrat.
Earlier, Samrat's lawyer told the court in writing that Samrat went to Kolkata for a medical check-up on July 15. He returned home on July 24 after treatment.
On June 1, Judge Manjurul Imam of Dhaka Special Judge's Court-6 allowed Samrat to go abroad for medical treatment. On July 13, the ACC filed a petition with the High Court seeking a stay on the order allowing him to go abroad.
Also read: Court fixes April 9 for framing charges against Samrat in money laundering case
Later, on July 15, a day before the hearing on the petition, Samrat left for India for treatment. On July 16, the ACC brought to the notice of the High Court about Samrat's departure abroad, but the court adjourned the hearing till August 1. Accordingly, the ACC's petition was heard on Wednesday.
On November 12, 2019, the ACC filed a case against Samrat for amassing wealth illegally. In the case, he was accused of acquiring wealth of Tk 2.94 crore beyond the known source of income.
On November 26, 2021, the ACC submitted a charge sheet against Samrat to the court accusing him of acquiring assets worth Tk 222.88 crore beyond the known source of income.
Also read: Why not cancel bail on ACC's plea, HC asks Samrat
Graft case: Tarique gets 9 years’ jail, Zubaida 3 years
A Dhaka court on Wednesday sentenced BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman to nine years imprisonment and his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman to three years in a graft case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in 2007 .
Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Asaduzzaman pronounced the judgment
Advocate Mosharraf Hossain Kajal took part in arguments on behalf of the ACC during the hearing.
Graft Case: BNP apprehends 'dictated' verdict against Tarique, Zubaida
However, no counsel stood for the accused as they are now absconding.
Examining 43 out of 56 witnesses, the court completed recording testimonies on July 24.
The court began the trial against the accused on April 13 after framing charges against them.
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Earlier on November 1, 2022, the court issued arrest warrants for Tarique Rahman and Zubaida in the case.
On June 26, the High Court ordered the judicial court to dispose of the case as soon as possible.
The HC also rejected the couple’s writ petitions, challenging the corruption case against them for acquiring wealth beyond their known sources of income and concealing information in their affidavits.
Extradition of convicted Tarique Rahman depends on UK govt: PM Hasina
As both of them remain fugitives, the court rejected the writ petitions – saying these are not acceptable.
The court also withdrew the stay order on the trial proceedings of the case filed against them.
On September 26, 2007, ACC lodged a complaint with Kafrul police against Tarique Rahman, Zubaida and her mother Iqbal Mand Banu for amassing illegal wealth worth Tk 4.81 crore and concealing the information.
In the same year, the High Court issued a rule suspending the trial proceedings in the case after hearing a petition filed by Zubaida.
The HC rejected the rule in 2017 and asked her to surrender before the court within eight weeks.
Fugitive JMB man arrested from Dhaka’s Bishwa Road area: ATU
Members of the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) of Bangladesh Police arrested a fugitive member of the banned militant outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) during a raid on Monday night.
Acting on a tip-off, an ATU team conducted the raid at Kuril Bishwa Road area of Bhatara Police Station in the capital and made the arrest, according to an official press release.
The arrestee is Md Monowar Hossain.
Also read: Ex-JMB commander gets 20 yrs jail in Chattogram
Monowar was arrested in a case filed under the Explosive Substances Act at Hathazari Police Station in Chattogram. The case is currently pending in the court, said the release.
He had been hiding under a pseudonym in different parts of the country for about 12 years.
During primary interrogation, Monowar confessed to the spread of militancy and his involvement in subversive activities against the state, said the release.
Also read: JMB man, fugitive for 17 years, held in Feni
In another operation, ATU arrested two members of an online fraud gang from Boalia Police Station area of Rajshahi.
The arrestees were identified as Khondoker Md Mahbubur Rashid, 42 and Md Mizanur Rahman, 44.
During the operation, a laptop, two mobile phones and various relevant documents used in the criminal activities were seized, according to the press release.
For a long time, the arrestees were part of an organized crime group that used an app called “Exness App” to scam people and used to transact money through the use of financial service providers (cash, bKash, Rocket, etc.) and bank accounts.
Also read: 3 JMB men get life imprisonment in arms case in Lalmonirhat
Later, through illegal e-transactions, the money was converted into dollars and smuggled abroad and a huge amount of money was illegally siphoned off by keeping their dividend, the press release added.
A case has been registered against the arrestees under the Digital Security Act at Boalia Police Station.
Appellate Division dismisses petition challenging legality of 290 MPs’ oath
The appellate division of the Supreme Court has dismissed the leave to appeal petition challenging the legality of the oath taking of 290 MPs of the 11th national parliament.
A seven-member full bench of the Appellate Division led by Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique delivered the verdict on Tuesday.
Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon appeared for the petitioner while Attorney General AM Amin Uddin for the state.
The validity of the oath of 290 MPs was proved by this verdict, Attorney General AM Amin Uddin said.
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The 11th national election was held on 30 December 2018 and the 290 members of parliaments took oath on January 3 ,2019.
The 10th parliamentary election was held on 5 January 2014. The elected MPs were sworn in on 9 January that year, and the first meeting of the parliament was held on 29 January.
According to Article 72 (3) of the Constitution, the term of parliament shall be counted for five years from the first sitting of parliament.
Appellate Division orders Dr Yunus to pay NBR Tk 12 crore tax on donations
Considering this, Lawyer Taherul Islam Towhid filed a writ petition with the High Court on January 20, challenging the validity of the oath.
He claimed that the oath taking of the MPs of the 11th Parliament took place before the end of the term of the previous parliament.
On 18 February 2019, the High Court dismissed the writ petition in this regard. The writ petitioner then filed a leave-to-appeal petition against the High Court's order on 20 September 2019.
Continue investigation into internal corruption of BFF: Appellate Division
ACC decides it has enough to prosecute senior Customs officer
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Monday filed a case against the current commissioner of the Commissionerate of Customs Valuation and Internal Audit Mohammad Enamul Hoque for amassing illegal wealth of around Tk10 crore.
ACC's Assistant Director Mahbubul Alam in Dhaka filed the case with Dhaka District Coordinated Office-1.
ACC deputy director (Public relations) Arif Sadik told UNB that Enamul has been serving as the customs commissioner at Customs Valuation and Internal Audit Commissionerate since November 2020.
The ACC initiated an investigation against him in November 2022, and he faced questioning during the same month.
According to the case statement, the accused bought land, flats and commercial spaces at 64 locations spending over Tk 21.5 crore from 1993 to 2022. He also invested in the share market, fish farm, gold ornaments and other means along with savings worth over Tk 58 lakh.
Enamul's total net worth then works out to over Tk 22 crore.
Alongside, he declared a debt of almost Tk 6 crore, but couldn't substantiate taking a loan of Tk 1.5 crore approx., with documentary evidence. Consequently, his verified debt amount is Tk 4.35 crore. After deducting the debt, his net worth amounts to almost Tk 18 crore.
According to his income tax return file, Enamul was able to show almost Tk 8 crore of his net worth was from legitimate sources of income.There are suspicions however against the remaining nearly Tk 10 crore, which is disproportionate to his income and there is good reason to believe that it is an asset outside known sources of income, the ACC said in the case statement.