The High Court (HC) on Thursday declared the immunity provision in Section 9 of the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act-2010 as “illegal and unconstitutional.” The HC bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury passed the rule. On September 2, the court issued a rule questioning the legality of the immunity provision in Section 9 of the act. Senior lawyer Dr Shahdeen Malik accompanied by Barrister Cynthia Farid submitted the petition challenging the validity of the immunity related to quick rental and the purchase provision in Section 6(2). Read: ‘Quick rental power act’ extended to prolong ‘plundering’: BNP According to the section 9 of the act, no question can be raised before any court regarding the validity of any action, or any action deemed to have been done, any action taken and any order or direction given under this act. Section 6(2) of the act reads that any planning or proposal related to the buying or investment decisions has to be approved by the energy minister and sent to the cabinet committee for approval after communicating and bargaining with one or more institutions following Section 7 of the Act.

The High Court has scrapped 11 cases including one for sedition and 10 for acts of sabotage against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. A High Court bench comprising Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain passed the order on Thursday after the final hearing on 11 separate petitions filed by Khaleda. Advocate Zainul Abedin, Barrister MA Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Barrister Nasir Uddin Asim, Barrister Kaisar Kamal, Barrister Ragib Rauf Chowdhury and five others stood for Kahleda. Among the cases, one was filed on charge of sedition, seven were filed at Darus Salam police station and three at Jatrabari police station on charge of sabotage during the anti-government movement in 2015. BNP joins legal battle with others against 15th Amendment The trial proceedings of the cases remained suspended for long following a High Court order. The sedition case was filed against Khaleda for her remarks about the number of martyrs in the Liberation War. The BNP chief had been on bail in all these cases. Advocate Zainul Abedin told reporters that there was no evidence that Khaleda Zia was present on the spot or gave any order in any of the cases filed on charges of sabotage. Police submitted charge sheets in the cases unnecessarily, he said. Khaleda was sent to Old Dhaka Central Jail on February 8, 2018, after a special court sentenced her to five years in prison in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. On October 30, 2018, the High Court raised her punishment to 10 years. Later, she was convicted in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case. AL can’t stage a comeback in Bangladesh politics: BNP Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail after 776 days through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with conditions that she would stay in her Gulshan house and not leave the country. On August 6, Khaleda Zia was completely freed by an order of President Mohammed Shahabuddin.

The High Court on Wednesday acquitted former state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar in a corruption case related to acquiring wealth beyond his known sources of income. The ruling came after Babar filed an appeal challenging the lower court’s conviction. The bench of Justice Md Kamrul Hossain Mollah delivered the acquittal. Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir represented Babar during the hearing, while Advocate AKM Fazlul Haque argued on behalf of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Despite this acquittal, Babar will remain behind bars as he faces 13 other cases. Court imposes travel ban on ex-DG of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy The ACC initially filed the corruption case against Babar on January 13, 2008, at the Ramna Model Police Station. A charge sheet was submitted by ACC deputy assistant secretary Rupok Kumar Saha on July 16, 2008. Babar was first arrested from his Gulshan residence on May 28, 2007. Later that year, on October 30, he was sentenced to 17 years in prison in an arms case. Babar also received the death penalty in two high-profile cases: the 10-truck arms haul case and the August 21 grenade attack case. In 2018, a fast-track tribunal sentenced Babar, along with 18 others, to death for his role in the grenade attack on an Awami League rally in 2004, which killed and injured numerous people.

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.  

Six High Court judges, accused of collaborating with the ousted Hasina government, have been sent on leave. Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed personally informed the judges of this decision during a meeting today. In a series of meetings, the judges entered the Chief Justice's office, and it was confirmed that six of them attended an invitation extended by Justice Ahmed. Those present included Justices S.M. Moniruzzaman, Khondkar Diliruzzaman, Md. Akteruzzaman, Shahed Md. Nuruddin, S.M. Masud Hossain Dolon, and Md. Aminul Islam. The Chief Justice informed these judges that they would be placed on leave. Student movement to lay siege to High Court on Wed While six other judges did not attend the meeting, sources confirmed they will also be placed on leave, regardless of their presence. Several Supreme Court judges verified this development on Wednesday afternoon. When asked for comment, Supreme Court Registrar General Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan said, “I have no information.” The invitation to the 12 High Court judges came after allegations surfaced that they acted as accomplices to the former Awami League-led government. The meeting, organized at the Chief Justice’s request, altered the day’s previous agenda. Sources indicate that the judges face numerous allegations of corruption and misconduct linked to their ties with the former administration. Various organizations have long demanded the removal of judges perceived to have political bias, particularly those appointed during the Awami League's tenure. General lawyers have echoed these demands, calling for the resignation of the judges. Tensions escalated earlier today when thousands of students from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement gathered outside the High Court, demanding the resignation of what they called “fascist” judges linked to the Awami League. By 12:30 pm, the protest had drawn large crowds, with demonstrators chanting and creating a charged atmosphere. The protest march started at Dhaka University’s Raju sculpture and culminated at the High Court. The student protesters issued a 2 pm ultimatum, demanding the resignation of the "politically affiliated and corrupt" judges. In a related development, BNP-supporting lawyers held a separate rally at the Supreme Court, also calling for the resignation of the accused judges.

The High Court (HC) has issued an order directing the authorities to conclude the long-pending investigation into the murders of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi within six months. An HC bench, led by Justice Farah Mahbub, passed the order after releasing a full-fledged verdict on the formation of a six member high-powered task force to probe the double murders. On September 30, the HC ordered the formation of the task force to probe the case that remained unsolved for 12 years. The court also directed the Home Ministry to execute the decision after removing the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from the investigation as the elite force had repeatedly been failing to submit the probe report. Earlier, the submission date of the probe report on the double murders has been deferred for the 114th time till October 15. On October 1 this year, Runi’s brother Nowsher filed a petition with a trial court seeking permission for appointment of nine lawyers to assist the state in the case. Later, the court appointed nine lawyers, including Supreme Court lawyer Shishir Monir. On October 10, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Moinul Islam said police started reinvestigating the case. Read: Sagar-Runi murder: Court approves appointing 9 lawyers to assist public prosecutor On the night of February 11, 2012, Sagar Sarowar, news editor at Maasranga Television, and Meherun Runi, senior reporter at ATN Bangla, were brutally murdered in their rented apartment in West Rajabazar, Dhaka. Their only son, Mahir Sarowar Megh (then 5 years old), was present in the house at the time of the killings. Runi's brother, Nowsher, filed a murder case at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station. Initially, the case was assigned to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station for investigation. Three days later, it was handed over to the Detective Branch (DB) of police. After DB failed to make progress, the case was transferred to RAB on April 18, 2012. Police arrested Tanvir Rahman in connection with the murder case on October 1, 2012. Later, he secured bail in 2014. Read more: Sagar-Runi murder: HC orders removal of RAB from probe, formation of task force The seven other suspects are Rafiqul Islam, Bakul Mia, Abu Syed, Mintu alias Baggira Mintu alias Masum Mintu, Quamrul Hasan alias Arun, security guard Enam Ahmed alias Humayun Kabir and Palash Rudra Pal. Out of the eight people arrested in connection with the case, two were granted bail, while the others are in jail. RAB Additional SP Khandaker Md Shafiqul Alam was appointed as the seventh investigation officer in the case on July 7, 2019.

Demanding resignation of 'fascist judges', the anti-discrimination student movement has announced a siege of the High Court at 11 am on Wednesday. Hasnat Abdullah, one of the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, announced the program in a post on his Facebook profile on Tuesday (October 15) evening. Read: Nur-led Gono Odhikar Parishad to lay siege to Election Commission on Tuesday In that post, Hasnat Abdullah wrote Awami League's fascist judges will be surrounded at the High Court by 11 am tomorrow. Coordinator Sarjis Alam also gave the same post following Hasnat Abdullah.

At least 2,000 students from Dhaka University staged a protest today (June 09, 2024) against the High Court’s decision to reinstate the quota system in government jobs. The procession began at 11 am from the front gate of the Central Library and concluded at the Raju Sculpture on the Dhaka University campus. Marching through the campus, the protesters shouted slogans demanding the repeal of the quota system in government jobs. DU students protest High Court order on restoration of quota system in govt jobs Fahim, an English department student, expressed his frustration, saying, "The decision to reintroduce the quota system in government jobs has destroyed the hopes and dreams of students who aspire to advance the country with their talent." He urged continuous protests until their demands are met.

The High Court (HC) on Monday (May 20, 2024) barred Monowar Hossain Dipjol from serving as general secretary of the executive committee of Bangladesh Film Artists’ Association for the 2024-26 term. An HC bench comprising Justice Naima Haider and Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque also directed relevant authorities to investigate allegations of irregularities in the election. Additionally, the court issued a rule demanding an explanation as to why the election results should not be annulled in light of these allegations. Film Artistes' Association election 2024: Misha Sawdagar elected president, Dipjol general secretary The HC's orders followed a petition filed by actress Nipun Akter, who contested the election for general secretary and is currently in the USA, according to her lawyer, Palash Chandra Roy. Senior lawyer Shah Manjurul Haq, Barrister Harunur Rashid, and Palash Chandra Roy represented Nipun in court, while Deputy Attorney General Amit Das Gupta represented the state. Lawyer Manjurul Haq stated that the court's stay on Dipjol's position means he cannot perform his duties as general secretary. The court also mandated the Social Welfare Ministry to investigate the alleged election irregularities. On May 15, actress Nipun submitted a petition to the HC seeking the cancellation of the election results and a restriction on the duties of the Misha-Dipjol panel, which had won the election. Allegations of embezzlement against actor Apurba Nipun also requested the court to set a schedule for a new election. In the election held on April 20, Dipjol defeated Nipun by 16 votes, as announced by Chief Election Commissioner Khorshed Alam Khosru. Dipjol received 225 votes, while Nipun, the immediate past general secretary, garnered 209 votes.

A Dhaka tribunal on Thursday (May 09, 2024) sentenced three people to life imprisonment in a case filed over killing famous Bangladeshi film actor of the ‘90s Sohel Chowdhury. Those sentenced to life imprisonment are: businessman Aziz Mohammad Bhai, Afakul Islam alias Bunty Islam, owner of Trumps Club, and Adnan Siddique. Judge of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-2 Arunav Chakroborty handed down the judgment. All the convicts are on the run. Former BNP leader ZA Khan passes away The court also acquitted six others as allegations brought against them could not be proved. On December 19, 1998, actor Sohel was shot dead by some terrorists in front of Trumps Club in Abedin Tower at city’s Banani Road-17. A murder case was filed in this regard at Gulshan police station by Sohels’ brother Towhidul Islam Chowdhury. On July 30,1999, Abul Kashem Bepari, Additional police Commissioner of Detective Police, submitted a charge sheet  against nine people in this case. On October 30, 2001, Dhaka’s third additional metropolitan session judge court framed charges against the nine accused. President mourns death of national flag’s first designer Shib Narayan After two years of framing charges the case was transferred to Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-2. The trial in the case remained suspended for 20 years as the High Court stayed the trial proceeding following a petition filed by one of the accused in 2003 .