HC
Evaly scam: Mithila, Faria get anticipatory bail
The High Court on Monday granted anticipatory bail for eight weeks to actors Rafiath Rashid Mithila and Shabnam Faria in a case filed over fraud and embezzlement associated with their involvement in Evaly, a shuttered e-commerce platform.
The HC bench of Justice Jahangir Hossain Selim and Md Atwar Rahman passed the order asking them to surrender before a lower court after eight weeks.
Advocate Imtiaz Faruk stood for Mithila while senior advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun and two others stood for Faria.
Also read: Evaly scam case: Actress Mithila, Shabnam Faria seek anticipatory bail
On December 4, an aggrieved Evaly customer, Saad Sam Rahman, filed the case with Dhanmondi police station against nine people, including Evaly CEO Mohammad Rassel, Chairman Shamima Nasrin, actors Tahsan Khan, Mithila, and Faria.
The other accused in the case are Akash, Arif, Taher and Md Abu Taish Kayes.
Mohammad Rassel and Shamima Nasrin, now behind bars, were shown arrested in this case.
Also read: Tahsan, Mithila, Faria face possible arrest over Evaly scam
According to the case, celebrities Tahsan Khan, Rafiath Rashid Mithila and Shabnam Faria were in different positions in Evaly. Because of their presence and their various promotional talks, Saad Sam invested Tk 3,18,000 in Evaly. The plaintiff alleged that he was deceived because of the promotional talks of these celebrities.
Tahsan was the goodwill ambassador of Evaly, while Mithila was associated with Evaly as the face of the company's lifestyle products. Besides, Shabnam Faria joined it as the chief public relations officer.
Quazi Anwar not writer of 260 books of ‘Masud Rana’ series: HC
The High Court on Monday rejected the writ petition of Qazi Anwar Hossain owner of Seba Prokashoni claiming the copyright of 260 books of popular thriller series ‘Masud Rana’.
The court also said copyright of 50 books of ‘Kuasha’ series will remain seized.
The HC bench of Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam and Md Iqbal Kabir passed the order today.
Barrister ABM Hamidul Misbah presented the petitioner’s side while lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan and Iftabul Kamal Ayan appeared for the Copyright office.
Also read: Sheikh Abdul Hakim, 'Masud Rana' ghostwriter, passes away
On July 29, 2019, author Sheikh Abdul Hakim submitted a complaint against Qazi Anwar Hossain for violating section 71 and 89 of the Copyright Act by depriving him of the author rights of those books of Masud Rana and Kuasha series.
On June 14, 2020, the Copyright office passed its decision in favour of Sheikh Abdul Hakim.
Jafar Raza Chowdhury, registrar of Bangladesh Copyright office said, Sheikh Abdul Hakim was given author rights only in one of the Masud Rana series and six of Kuahsa series books but he has proved his authorship for the remaining ones.
“Sheikh Abdul Hakim will have to separately appeal for each book for the author right and copyright,”he said.
The copyright office in its order directed the defense to stop publication and commercial use of the claimed and enlisted books until further order of court or the copyright board.
Also read: HC stays copyright order on Masud Rana, Kuasha series
It also directed the defense to submit the statement of account of the sold books, number of sold books and the number of editions of the books that have registered copyright to the petitioner within 30 days.
Qazi Anwar Hossain later filed a writ challenging the order of the copyright office.
On September 10, 2020, The High Court stayed the decision of Copyright Office Bangladesh for one month.
The court asked the Cultural Affairs Secretary, Copyright Office Bangladesh, Registrar of Copyright and Copyright Board to explain why the Copyright Office’s June 14 decision should not be declared illegal.
Unfortunately on August 29, this year Sheikh Abdul Hakim, ghostwriter of the popular spy thriller series 'Masud Rana', passed away at the age of 75, after losing his long battle with bronchitis.
Investigation of Drik Gallery founder Shahhidul Alam to continue in ICT case: HC
The High Court on Monday cleared the way for the police to continue investigation against renowned photographer Shahidul Alam in a case filed in 2018 under the Information and Technology (ICT) Act.
The HC bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil passed the order after rejecting a writ challenging the legality of going ahead with the investigation into the case lodged under section 57 of the ICT Act.
In the case Shahidul Alam, founder of Drik Gallery and Pathsala, has been accused of spreading lies and provocative statements on social media during the 2018 student movement for road safety.
Former Attorney General AF Hasna Arif and Barrister Sara Hossain stood for Shahidul while Attorney general AM Amin Uddin and Deputy Attorney General Tushar Kanti Roy represented the state.
Also read: CPJ names Shahidul Alam among four for Int’l Press Freedom Awards 2020
The probe was stayed for three months by the High Court on March 14, 2019 following a petition from the internationally known photographer. This was later upheld by the Appellate Division.
In the petition Shahidul said that the case was lodged to harass him. He also challenged the legality of the case and sought court’s order to stay all proceedings relating to it.
Shahidul was picked up from his Dhanmondi residence by detectives on August 5, 2018 after he gave online interviews to international media and went live on Facebook in support of the students who took to the streets of Dhaka demanding safety on roads.
Also read: Probe into Shahidul case to remain halted
A case was filed against him with Ramna Police Station the following day for 'spreading propaganda' through Facebook.
The High Court granted him bail on November 15, 2018 and he was released from jail on five days later on November 20.
Derogatory remarks on PM: HC orders removal of Alal’s videos from social media
The High Court has ordered the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to remove from social media the videos containing BNP leader Moazzem Hossain Alal's derogatory remarks on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman passed the order.
READ: Rangpur custodial death: HC forms 3-member committee
The BTRC chairman has been asked to execute the order.
Earlier, Barrister Syed Saidul Haque Sumon brought the matter to the notice of the court.
On Tuesday, a student of Dhaka University filed a case against BNP Joint Secretary General Alal at Shahbagh Police Station for making indecent comments on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
READ: HC orders removal of objectionable audios, videos of junior minister Murad from social media
Another student filed a complaint over the same matter.
HC orders removal of objectionable audios, videos of junior minister Murad from social media
The High Court on Tuesday directed Bangladesh's telecom regulator to take necessary steps to remove all objectionable audios and videos of State Minister for Information Murad Hassan from social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube.
A division bench of Justices M Enayetur Rahim and Md Mostafizur Rahman gave the order to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and also asked Deputy Attorney General Bipul Bagmar to submit an action-taken report by Wednesday morning, in the wake of a plea by a leading Supreme Court lawyer.
In his petition, barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman claimed that such "indecent, obscene audios and videos can have adverse effects on the society”.
“The responsible agencies of the government should have removed these contents but as they did not, I’ve sought the High Court’s direction in public interest," he said in his plea.
Also read: PM asked junior minister Murad to resign by Tuesday: Obaidul Quader
During a recent social media interview, the junior Minister made "derogatory" remarks on opposition BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman and his daughter Zaima Rahman.
Meanwhile, a two-year-old phone conversation of the state minister with actor Mamnun Hasan Emon and actress Mahiya Mahi recently went viral on social media. In that audio clip, Murad made "derogatory comments" on the actress, threatened her and gave her an alleged indecent proposal.
On Monday night, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked Murad to resign from the cabinet by Tuesday over his recent derogatory remarks on social media, according to Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader.
Also read: BNP seeks junior minister Murad’s resignation, his apology
BNP on Monday demanded that the junior minister give a public apology and withdraw his “politically motivated, racial and derogatory” remarks against women and the Zia family.
HC wants to know of steps against Panama and Paradise Papers money launderers
The High Court has sought to know of the steps taken against the people and institutions whose names came up as money launderers in the Panama and Paradise Papers.
HC ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) to submit separate reports by January 9 to the court.
The HC also asked the CID and BFIU to explain in their reports what action they have taken to prevent money laundering and why they failed to provide information about money launderers to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
READ: HC orders Tk 5 lakh compensation for Ramgati student Tamim’s treatment
HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice AKM Zahirul Huq passed the orders on Monday.
Following a writ petition filed by advocate Abdul Qaium Khan and advocate Subir Nandi Das on February 1, a rule was issued on February 27 asking why the money laundered abroad by individuals and organizations should not be ordered to be recovered and why the failure and inaction of the respondents in bringing back the laundered money would not be deemed illegal.
READ: HC orderss 24/7 surveillance on activities of Rajarbagh Pir, syndicate
HC orders Tk 5 lakh compensation for Ramgati student Tamim’s treatment
The High court on Monday ordered the authorities concerned to pay Tk 5 lakh for the treatment of 5th grader Tamim Iqbal who lost his limbs from electrocution due to negligence of Palli Bidyut Samity.
The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman also ruled that why payment of Tk. 10 crore should not be ordered to be paid in compensation to the family of 12-year-old Tamim from Ramgati in Laxmipur.
The HC order came after hearing a petition filed by the schoolboy’s father Shahadat Hossain.
Also read: HC orderss 24/7 surveillance on activities of Rajarbagh Pir, syndicate
Secretary to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, chairman of Polli Bidyut Board, manager of Laxmipur Polli Bidyut Samity and two others were made respondents to the rule.
On September 25, Tamim from Katabania Government Primary School of Ramgati upazila in Laxmipur district got electrocuted after he came in contact with a snapped electric wire installed by Palli Bidyut Samity.
He has been undergoing treatment at the pediatric surgery department of Sheikh Hasina Burn Institute in Dhaka for the last two months.
According to the physicians, Tamim’s condition is critical as his left hand has been amputated, while the two fingers of his right leg would be severed through an operation.
Also read: 18 cases against Dinajpur businessman: HC order judicial probe
Besides, he has a serious injury to his head.
On November 26, Amena Begum, mother of Tamim brought an allegation of negligence of Polly Bidyut Samity and demanded justice.
Tamim’s father is a day labour.
18 cases against Dinajpur businessman: HC order judicial probe
The High Court has ordered a judicial probe into the involvement of Superintendent of Police (SP) Anwar Hossain in filing 18 cases against businessman Md Khalilullah Azad Milton in two months’ time in Dinajpur.
The Rangpur Chief Judicial Magistrate has been asked to investigate the matter and submit a report in the next three months.
The HC bench of Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia and Justice Md Kamrul Hossain Mollah passed the order on Sunday.
Also read: HC issues rule on compensation over student’s death in Ctg drain
The Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and others concerned have been asked to respond to the rule.
Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua appeared for the writ petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Nowroz Mohammad Russell Chowdhury represented the state.
Jyotirmoy said businessman Milton had appealed to the IGP to take action against SP Md Anwar Hossain for filing 18 cases against him in just two months’ time.
As no action was taken against the SP, a writ petition was filed with the High Court on November 15.
Also read: Rangpur custodial death: HC seeks police probe report by Nov 11
According to newspaper reports published on November 21, there were 18 cases against a businessman in Dinajpur in barely two months.
HC denies bail to producer Raj in money laundering case
The High Court on Monday rejected a bail plea by Nazrul Islam Raj, owner of Raj Multimedia, in a case of money laundering filed against him.
The bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and AKM Zahirul Haque dismissed the bail petition as not presented at the court, said Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik.
Lawyer AK Rashedul Haque presented the petitioner’s side at the court while DAG AKM Amin Uddin Manik appeared for the state.
Raj, an associated of actress Pori Moni, was arrested by Rab on August 4 along with two others.
Also read: Pori, Raj ringleaders of organised gang: Rab
His arrest came hours after a raid on Pori Moni’s Banani residence and her subsequent arrest on charge of keeping illegal drugs.
Pori Moni, who was sent to jail, is now out on bail. She faces trial under Narcotics Control Act.
Also read: 2 ‘associates’ of Pori Moni-Raj placed on remand
Writ seeks compensation over student’s death after falling in Ctg drain
A writ petition was filed with the High Court on Thursday seeking its directive on the authorities concerned to give a compensation of Tk 10 crore to the family university student Shehrin who died after falling into a drain in Chattogram city.
Barrister Anik R Haque filed the writ petition on behalf of rights organisation Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), Children's Charity Bangladesh (CCB) Foundation and Sadia's maternal uncle Zahid Uddin Belal on Thursday.
Read: AL election campaign office torched in Satkhira
The writ petition was presented before the High Court bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman, said Advocate AM Jamiul Haque Faisal.
The Secretaries to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives and Ministry of Home Affairs, Chattogram Divisional Commissioner, Chattogram City Corporation, Chairman of Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) and others were made defendants.
In the writ petition, the petitioner sought the court’s order to the Chattogram City Corporation and the Chattogram Development Authority to inform about the steps taken over the death of university student Sehreen Mahbub Sadia.
The writ petition also sought its directive to the authorities concerned for submitting a report on their steps taken to investigate the incident compensate the family or other action to prevent such accident.
Read: Bangladesh seeks EU support for regional hydropower, solar projects
Earlier on October 19, legal notice was sent to the defendants to compensate the family of the university student. It was mention in the notice that if no action is taken within seven days of receiving the notice, a writ petition will be filed with the High Court.
On September 27, Shehrin Mahmud Sadia, 20, died after falling into an open drain in Agrabad Badamtali area of the port city. Sadia's body was found five hours after she had gone missing in the drain.