Law-&-Order
HC orders ACC to probe graft allegations against BFF President Salahuddin, others
The High Court today ordered a probe into allegations of corruption, money laundering and embezzlement against Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Kazi Salahuddin, Senior Vice-President Abdus Salam Murshedy, former general secretary Abu Naim Sohag and other officials of the organisation.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has been asked to submit a report in this regard within four months.
The HC bench of Justice Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the order after hearing a writ petition.
The High Court rule sought to know why the inaction of the defendants in investigating allegations of corruption, money laundering and embezzlement against BFF officials should not be declared illegal.
Bangladesh Bank governor, secretary to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman, Chief of Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), Chairman of National Revenue Board, BFF president, its senior vice-president and former general secretary were made respondents to the rule.
Earlier on Sunday, Barrister Sayedul Haque Sumon filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking an inquiry into the allegations of corruption against BFF officials. The writ petition was heard today. Barrister Sumon was present, and Advocate Mohammad Saifullah Mamun and Barrister Margub Kabir appeared for the BFF officials. Khurshid Alam Khan appeared for the ACC.
“Today's order proves that no matter where the money comes from, if the people of Bangladesh are deprived, the perpetrators will be brought to book,” he said.
Earlier on May 3, Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Sayedul Haque Sumon filed a petition with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) chairman seeking an inquiry into the allegations of corruption against BFF officials. After getting no results, he filed the writ petition with the High Court on Sunday.
Writ petition filed seeking investigation into graft allegation against BFF president, others
A writ petition was filed with the High Court on Sunday seeking its directives to investigate the graft allegations against the officials of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) including its president Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin.
Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman filed the writ petition with the High Court bench concerned seeking probe into corruption, money embezzlement and money laundering allegations against them.
The other officials include senior vice president Abdus Salam Murshedy, and former general secretary Abu Naim Sohag.
Bangladesh Bank Governor, secretary to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman, Chief of Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), Chairman of National Revenue Board, BFF President, its senior vice-president and former general secretary were made respondents in the writ petition.
The bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat will hear the writ petition, said Barrister Syed Sayedul.
Earlier, on May 3, Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman sent a letter to the ACC chairman seeking investigation into the graft allegations against BFF officials. As no response came, he filed the writ petition.
He said due to the corruption of the BFF officials including its president Salahuddin, senior vice president Abdus Salam Murshedy, and former general secretary Abu Naim Sohag Bangladesh football did not see any development.
“To save football, they should be brought to book. That’s why I have filed the writ petition,” said Barrister Sayedul.
Case filed after 48 years seeking justice for killing Colonel Khandkar Nazmul Huda
After 48 years, a murder case was filed with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police station in the capital on Wednesday night in connection with the killing of Colonel Khandkar Nazmul Huda Birvikram.
Nahid Izhar Khan, MP, daughter of late Col Khandkar Nazmul Huda, filed the case accusing Major (retd) Abdul Jalil of then 10 East Bengal Regiment and 20-25 unidentified people. She also mentioned the name of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman as the mastermind for giving order to kill him in her First Information Report (FIR).
Officer-in-charge (OC) of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police station Utpal Kumar Barua told reporters that Colonel Nazmul Huda's daughter filed the case as a plaintiff. In the FIR, she alleged that on the orders of Ziaur Rahman, three army officers including Col Khandkar Nazmul Huda Birvikram were killed. Retired Major Abdul Jalil along with 25 unnamed people have been named as accused in the case, the OC said.
“We are investigating into the allegation of the case,” the OC added.
According to the FIR, the plaintiff mentioned that she was only 5 and her elder brother was 8, on November 7, 1975, when her father was killed by the members of the Bangladesh Army in the compound of Jatiya Sangsad Bhavan in Dhaka while serving as Commander of 72 Special Brigade of the Bangladesh Army in Rangpur.
Two sector commanders-- Major General Khaled Mosharraf Bir-Uttam and Shahid Lt Col ATM Haider Bir-Uttam—were also killed during the incident, she said.
On March 26, 1971, Col Nazmul Huda joined the liberation war and directly participated in the liberation war. He was the Boyra sub-sector commander under Sector 8 of Jashore. Pakistan Army was defeated in the famous Tank Battle of Garibpur, Battle of Chowagacha under his direct command.
Jashore became the first district of Bangladesh to be liberated under the leadership of Col Nazmul Huda on 6th December in 1971.
DSA case against SP Babul, 3 others: Court orders shifting case to Cyber Tribunal
A Dhaka court on Thursday ordered shifting of the case filed against four people including former superintendent of police (SP) Babul Aktar and US based-Youtuber Elias Hossain, to Cyber Tribunal in Dhaka.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ashek Imam passed the order.
Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) presented the charge sheet before the court today.
Then, the court transferred the case to the Cyber Tribunal in Dhaka for further trial.
On April 09, Dhanmondi Model Police Station Inspector (Operation) Md. Rabiul Islam, also the investigation officer of the case, submitted charge sheet against four people including Babul Akter and Ilias Hossain.
The other accused in the case are Babul’s father Md Abdul Wadud Miah and his brother Md Habibur Rahman Lavu.
The investigation officer of the case submitted a petition to issue an arrest warrant against Ilias Hossain as he is absconding.
According to the case statement, Elias in association with Babul Aktar leaked an audio on his Facebook page and Youtube channel from the US about Babul’s wife Mitu murder. In the video, he alleged that Police Bureau of Investigation Chief (PBI) chief had intentionally implicated Babul in the case and the latter was tortured in custody.
On September 27 in 2022, Banaj Kumar Majumdar filed the case bringing the allegations under the DSA and the Special Power Act at Dhanmondi police station.
Later, Babul was shown arrested in the case on November 10 in the same year.
The four accused were acquitted of the Special Power Act charges as the allegations against them could not be proved.
Thakurgaon sadar thana OC withdrawn over ‘torture’ on Jubo League leader
The officer-in-charge of Thakurgaon Sadar Police Station was withdrawn around eight hours after a case was filed against him and four other cops for torturing a Jubo League leader.
Mohammad Jahangir Hossain, Superintendent of Police (SP) in the district, said OC Kamal Hossain was withdrawn for administrative reasons and attached to Rangpur range office.
No decision is yet to be taken regarding the four other accused police officers, he said.
Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, the case was filed against them for torturing Jubo League’s district unit Organising Secretary Asadduzaman Pulok.
The other accused are the police station’s inspector (operation) Md Latif, sub-inspectors Khoka Chandra Roy and Md Motaleb and ASI Md Hasib.
The case was filed at the court of District and Sessions Judge Mamunur Rashid who ordered judicial investigation into the incident.
The court also ordered the Civil Surgeon to submit report of treatment of Pulok within 24 hours and the superintendent of police (SP) to lodge a departmental case in this connection.
According to the case statement, police detained Pulok on April 29 and beat him up at the police station. He was sent to jail by a court. Later he was admitted to Sadar Hospital when he fell sick.
On May 2, Pulok secured bail in a case filed by police. He was again admitted to Sadar hospital for treatment on the same day.
After being discharged from the hospital on Wednesday, Pulok filed the case against the police officials.
OC Kamal denied the allegations saying that no one tortured him at the police station. They just picked them up from a fair following a clash.
Woman in Dhaka jailed for 'hurting religious sentiment'
A Dhaka court on Wednesday sentenced a woman to two years and seven months of imprisonment in a case filed under ‘Digital Security Act’ for hurting religious sentiment.
Dhaka Cyber Tribunal Judge AM Zulfiqar Hayat passed the order on Wednesday upon the defendant’s confessional statement.
Nazrul Islam Shamim, special public prosecutor of the court, said defendant Ishrat Jahan Reili Begum was a student of science department of Badrunnesa College.
“In November 2020, she made derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Facebook. She pleaded guilty in court today (Wednesday) and apologised for her remarks.”
“Since the accused has a young child. And the defendant has voluntarily confessed to the crime. The court sentenced him to two years and seven months in prison,” he said.
However, the judge ordered the jail officials to release the convict if there is no other case pending against her, as she has already spent two years and seven months in prison.
Ishrat Jahan Reili, who has been in jail since November 6, 2020, was produced before the tribunal for hearing.
During the hearing, the judge said the accused had already spent a long time in jail.
“If the accused voluntarily confesses to the crime, then the jail time she already served can be declared as imprisonment,” the judge declared.
However, the defendant initially denied confessing to her offence after her lawyer Golam Mostafa Khan approached her.
The lawyer then explained to her that the police had filed a chargesheet and that the trial could not be concluded for many years to come. Later, she consented to voluntarily confess.
Ishrat Jahan Reili, 23, was arrested by RAB-4 on November 6, 2020, for making derogatory posts against Prophet Muhammad on Facebook.
A case was filed with Darussalam Police Station under the Digital Security Act. Later, the chargesheet was filed in the case in 2022.
Judicial probe ordered against 5 policemen for alleged torture in Thakurgaon
Five police personnel including officer-in-charge of Thakurgaon Sadar Police Station were implicated on Wednesday in a case for allegedly torturing an organising secretary of district unit Jubo League (JL), the youth wing of the ruling Awami League (AL).
Juba League leader Asadduzaman Pulok filed the case accusing five police officers including OC Kamal Hossain at the district and sessions judge’s court, accusing them of torturing him-- handcuffed and blindfolded.
The other accused are the police station’s inspector (operation) Md Latif, Sub Inspectors Khoka Chandra Roy and Md Motaleb and ASI Md Hasib.
Judge Mamunur Rashid took the allegations into cognizance and ordered a judicial investigation into the incident headed by an executive magistrate, said Advocate Abdur Rahim who stood for Pulok.
The judge also directed to submit the report of medical treatment within 24 hours and the superintendent of police (SP) to lodge a departmental case in this connection, he said.
According to the case statement, police detained two people including Pulok for alleged violence at the Public Club Field of the district on the night of April 29. Police allegedly tortured both of them, it said.
They were later taken to Sadar Hospital when they fell sick and later sent to jail.
On May 2, Pulok obtained bail in a case filed by police in this connection. He was again admitted to the Sadar hospital for treatment on the same day.
After being released from the hospital on Wednesday, Pulok filed the case against the police officials.
OC Kamal denied the allegations, saying that no one tortured him at the police station. They just picked them up from the club following a clash.
2 held with 2.3 kg gold in Jashore border
Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrested two suspected smugglers with 2.3 kgs gold worth around Tk 2 crore in Sharsha upazila along the Indian border on Wednesday afternoon.
The arrestees are Amzad Hossain, 34, of Naogaon’s Mohadevpur upazila and Bablur Rahman, 36, of Jashore’s Benaople.
Lieutenant Colonel Tanvir Rahman, commander of the BGB-21, said they conducted a drive in Pachbhulot border area of the upazila around 2pm on information that a consignment of gold will be smuggled to India.
Sensing the presence of the BGB personnel, the smugglers tried to flee but the BGB men managed to detain them, he said.
Later, the gold was seized from their possession.
A case was filed in this connection.
HC bench embargoes any 'bakseesh' for small advantages in court
The High Court (HC) on Wednesday issued a notice with an embargo on petty corruption in the name of 'bakseesh' to avail small advantages in connection with cases in court.
The notice signed by an HC bench of Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif and Justice Biswajit Debnath was hanged outside the courtroom on Wednesday.
According to the notice signed by bench officer Md Sifat Ullah Khan, it will be considered as corruption once bench officers, assistant bench officers, justice’s personal officials, court representatives, MLSS of court or chamber, justice’s drivers, gunmen and other officials involved with the court take money, gift accessories, vehicle services and other facilities.
Actions will be taken as per the rules and regulations if any officials of the court are found involved with corruption.
The lawyers, their assistants and all involved with the court are directed to refrain from such kinds of activities.
RAB arrests 4 members of Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya in Sylhet
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have arrested four members of a newly formed radical outfit Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya from Sylhet’s airport area.
Based on intelligence, they were arrested in an overnight operation on Monday (May 8), RAB-9 said in a press conference on Tuesday.
Abdullah Maymoon alias Mumin (34), shura member of Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya and head of Dawati Branch is among the four arrested.
The other arrestees were Md Abu Zafar Tahan (40), son of late Sheikh Abdus Salam Master of Faridpur, Md Aktar Kaji Sayeed (38), son of late Mostafa Kazi of Chandpur’s Matlab North upazila, Salahuddin Razzak Mollah (32), son of late Abdur Razzak from Gopalganj's Muksedpur area.
During the raid, Tk 2 lakh in cash, electronic devices and important documents were recovered from their possession.
RAB-9 Media Officer Afsan-Al-Alam disclosed the information at a press conference at RAB-9 office around 11:30am on Tuesday.
He said the arrestees were all trained militants.
“They were trained by the separatist organisation Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) – based in Chattogram Hill Tracts. They also have links with Ansar al-Islam.”
Media Officer Afsan said: “Abdullah Maymoon used to collect money from different countries through innovative techniques and provide financial support for the weapons and training of new terrorist organisations. He also worked as a bridge between militant outfit Ansar al-Islam and Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya.”
At the press conference, RAB said that four members of the newly formed militant outfit rented a house in Barashala area of Sylhet suburb a week ago.
RAB-9 said the arrested Abdullah Maymoon completed Dakhil from a local madrasa in Sylhet. He was attracted to extremism after watching videos online of Muslims being tortured online in Palestine, Myanmar, Iraq and other places.
In 2013, he joined the Ansar al-Islam militant organisation through a local. He was also the Sylhet division head of Ansar al-Islam.
Maymoon was arrested in 2019 in an anti-terrorism case and spent a year in jail before going out on bail in 2020.
Later, when his bail was cancelled, he went into hiding. In 2021, through Shura members Ranbir and Manik, Maymoon joined Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya and went to the hills. Being the Sylhet divisional chief of Ansar al-Islam, he was appointed as the Shura member and head of the Dawati branch of the organisation.
RAB officials said that legal action is being taken against the arrested.
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has so far arrested 68 members and leaders of Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya since its existence was known to RAB in 2022 while investigating the disappearance of eight youths in Cumilla. At least 17 members of KNF were also arrested for assisting the militants in training and other activities in the hills.