The High Court on Monday granted anticipatory bail to human rights activist and Supreme Court lawyer ZI Khan Panna in a case filed for attempting to kill a student during the student-led movement on July 19. The HC bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain granted the bail till the submission of the police report when he sought bail after appearing before the court. Senior Advocate Ahsanul Karim stood for Panna. Ain O Salish Kendra strongly condemns ‘false’ case against ZI Khan Panna Md Baker, father of victim Ahadul Islam, filed the case against 180 people including Panna with Khilgaon Police Station on October 17. According to the case statement, Ahadul along with others were staging demonstrations in the Meradia Bazar area during the recent mass uprising. A group of police, BGB members and leaders and activists of Awami League opened fire on the protesting people, leaving Ahadul injured with bullet. Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader, former home minister Asaduzzman Khan, ,ex-public administration minister Farhad Hossain, Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, former joint commissioner of DMP Biplab Kumar, former IGP Abdullah Al Mamun, former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman, former PBI Chief Banaj Kumar Majumder, former Director General of Rab Barrister Harun-or-Rashid were among the accused in the case.  

Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has strongly condemned the ‘false case’ filed against prominent lawyer and human rights activist ZI Khan Panna. In a statement issued on Sunday, the rights organization expressed concern that the case against ZI Khan Panna, also chairperson of ASK., may have been prompted by dissatisfaction with his recent comments on the country’s human rights condition and socio-political issues. The statement, signed by ASK’s Senior Coordinator Abu Ahmed Farzul Kabir, emphasised that Panna has consistently supported the students' legitimate demands from the outset of the movement, providing legal assistance in cases involving detained student leaders. SC lawyer ZI Khan Panna among 180 sued for attempt to murder Given the nature of his discussions and role in addressing human rights and social issues, there are grounds to suspect that this case is an attempt at harassment, which is both unwarranted and condemnable, said the statement. The organization characterised Panna as a lifelong advocate for human rights, noting his persistent efforts against extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and torture. “He has often faced backlash from various groups for speaking out against violence, disappearances, and repression. Additionally, he has tirelessly defended freedom of expression and the rights of religious and ethnic minorities,” the statement added. Earlier on Oct 17, a case was filed against 180 people including human rights activist and lawyer ZI Khan Panna for attempting to kill a student during the student-led movement on July 19. Md Baker, father of victim Ahadul Islam, filed the case against them with Khilgaon Police Station on Thursday, said Md Daud Hossain, acting officer-in-charge of the police station on Sunday.

Bangladeshi Human rights activist and lawyer ZI Khan Panna has described 1975 as a period when the nation witnessed the key attacks on human rights, noting that the subsequent indemnity ordinance was the worst thing to see.   “The key attack (on human rights) was in 1975. And nothing can be as worst as the indemnity ordinance,” he said while speaking at a discussion on human rights issues on Saturday (October 15, 2022).  Editors Guild, Bangladesh, a platform of editors, organised the discussion held at the Dhaka Gallery in Banani in the capital. Read PM: During BNP’s regime, human rights were violated at every step Just 41 days into the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, an indemnity ordinance was promulgated by Khandaker Moshtaque Ahmed, who grabbed state power immediately after the brutal killing by putting martial law in place. The ordinance was issued on September 26, 1975 with an aim to block any legal or other proceedings against the killers and those who were involved in proclaiming martial law on the morning of August 15, 1975. Panna also described the post-1975 development and how people were brutally tortured. He claimed existence of “Aynaghar” in the post 1975 period and he was one of the victims of that. “There’re many victims,” he said, mentioning few names and brutal nature of tortures on them. Read UN experts seek more help for human rights defenders in push for accountability in Myanmar Panna also highlighted the present situation, saying there are some failures. “I would say avoiding tendency, not limitations.” He said the CHT peace treaty is the one of the best agreements without involvement of any third party or country. The rights activist credited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for this. Talking about the glorious War of Liberation, he said Bangladesh is a unique nation in world history. Read: Bangabandhu Memorial Museum: Witness to History and Tragedy The rights activist said nobody can show a country in the world except Bangladesh whose 30 lakh people sacrificed their lives in a period of 9 months. “You can’t show in world history. Bangladesh is a unique country.” He said it was not a conventional war, but it was a people's war. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, Professor Dr Mizanur Rahman, human rights activist Khushi Kabir, Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta, among others, spoke at the discussion on human rights issues moderated by Editors’ Guild President and Editor-in-Chief of Ekattor Television Mozammel Babu. Read ASK September report paints grim picture of human rights in Bangladesh