United News of Bangladesh

In a major reshuffle in the judicial administration, the government has promoted 826 judges. Among them, 250 Additional District Judges were promoted to District Judges, 294 Joint District Judges to Additional District Judges and 282 Senior Assistant Judges to Joint District Judges. The Law and Justice Division of the Law Ministry issued separate notifications in this regard on Wednesday (November 26). Read more: 64 districts get SPs through lottery: Home Adviser The promoted district judges have been asked to hand over the responsibilities of their current posts to an officer designated by the head of office by  November 27 and to join their new place of posting by  December 1, said the notification. Judges who are currently on training, maternity leave or on leave have been asked to report to their workplaces upon completion of training or leave, hand over charge and immediately join their new position.

The Election Commission has sent the draft voter registration (amendment) act to the Law Ministry, seeking authority to determine a logical cut-off date for the inclusion of new voters in the electoral roll ahead of the national election. "We have proposed changes in the existing law to determine the date until which voters can be included in the voter list (before the election),” said EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed while talking to reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban on Thursday. The EC’s move came in a bid to ensure the voting rights of a larger number of youths in the 13th parliamentary election. He said the proposed change would allow the Commission to determine a logical cut-off date based on its consideration in a formal meeting —to include new voters ahead of the polls. “The Election Commission will determine the date as the cut-off time considering the election schedule and the date of symbol allocation. We’ve sent an amendment proposal to the Law Ministry in this regard,” said the secretary. CEC meets CA Prof Yunus About the delimitation of constituencies, Akhtar said the EC has received applications over 76 parliamentary constituencies out of 300 ones—some applications sought changes in the existing boundaries, while others asked to retain the current boundaries. “We will assess both types of the applications. We will do whatever seems logical to us based on the variables such as population, geographic location and administrative boundaries. The review is still going on and nothing has been finalised yet,” he said, adding that the EC will have to finish the process soon. The EC is also preparing for necessary procurement to hold the next general election. “We expect to begin procurement procedures by September,” he said. Party Registration Akhtar Ahmed said the deadline for new political party registration expired on June 22. “We received a total of 147 applications from 144 parties. Three parties submitted more than one application,” he said. BNP to begin seat-sharing talks with allies after election schedule: Khosru Now 20 EC officials are engaged in the preliminary scrutiny of these applications, he said, adding that the number of election symbols will go up, but the final decision in this regard will be taken by the Commission.

The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs has said there has been no formal decision yet regarding the formation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Bangladesh. In a press statement issued on Thursday, the ministry said certain media outlets have selectively quoted remarks made by the Adviser to the Ministry, creating confusion over the potential establishment of such a commission. “To dispel misunderstandings, it is being clarified that no governmental decision has been taken thus far to form a Truth and Reconciliation Commission,” the statement says. The ministry says in his most recent remarks, the Law Adviser emphasised that any consideration of such a commission would involve discussions with political parties, student leaders and experts at an appropriate time. Consensus Commission seeks final decision on NCC in today’s meeting: Ali Riaz “He has consistently stated that such a commission might be contemplated only after justice is served for the mass killings during the July uprising and contingent upon expressions of remorse from leaders of the ousted regime. He argued that the formation of such a commission could also help affirm that those responsible for genocide are rejected and isolated from the nation,” the release elaborated. Earlier, on May 10, Dr Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, had said, “A Truth and Reconciliation Commission will be formed in the country. In this regard, a delegation, including the Chief Justice and the Law Adviser, will visit South Africa for an exchange of experience. Upon return, consultations will be held with eminent citizens regarding the commission’s formation.” He made the remarks while presiding over a discussion session at the Judicial Administration Training Institute in Dhaka, focused on the draft of the Disappearance Prevention and Remedy Ordinance, 2025 (Second Draft). The session was organised by the Law Ministry and later highlighted in an official press release. During the session, the Law Adviser said, “This nation cannot attain peace through endless conflict. National unity must be achieved. Those who committed heinous crimes such as genocide and crimes against humanity are relatively few in number. There must be adequate and appropriate punishment for them. To establish that these perpetrators are detached from the nation’s mainstream, a Truth and Reconciliation Commission may be necessary.” Consensus Commission resumes talks with parties; Jamaat joins second day Dr Nazrul reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring justice, “Those responsible for genocide and crimes against humanity will be prosecuted and face the highest level of punishment through legal procedures. Simultaneously, laws will continue to be enacted to ensure justice for enforced disappearances and other crimes, so that such offences are not repeated in future.”  

In a move to expedite the ongoing process of withdrawing politically motivated cases, victims who were sued between January 6, 2009 and August 5, 2024, can now directly apply to the Solicitor of the Law and Justice Division under the Ministry of Law. The decision was taken at the 11th meeting of the ministry-level committee formed to review politically motivated cases held at the Secretariat on Sunday. Applicants must attach certified copies of the FIR and the charge sheet (where applicable), with their application. Case filed over killing of Primeasia University student The meeting chaired by the Law Adviser also recommended the withdrawal of 724 more cases. With this, the committee has so far recommended the withdrawal of a total of 8,294 politically motivated cases, including 7,570 cases recommended during previous meetings. The committee reaffirmed its decision to gradually withdraw all politically motivated cases filed across the country between January 6, 2009 and August 5, 2024.

Law Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Sunday said the law ministry has recommended the withdrawal of 7,184 politically-motivated cases filed during the tenure of the previous government. "Sometimes, cases are submitted that are not actually politically-motivated ones. Many try to put names included through various means. Officials of the law ministry and the home ministry are regularly scrutinising the matters. I want to assure you that the officials at both the ministries are working with utmost sincerity," he told a press conference at the ministry’s conference room. Regarding model Meghna’s case, he said, "There are some allegations against her and those are under investigation. However, the process of her arrest was not proper. The home ministry will take necessary steps after verification." Extensive security measures in place nationwide for Pahela Baishakh: RAB DG The adviser also spoke on the Bangladesh Bank cyber heist, saying that a review committee was formed to look into the incident, which he leads. The committee also included the central bank governor and other officials. "There was a plan to loot $2 billion from the bank — it was essentially a plan to plunder Bangladesh," Asif Nazrul said, adding that if it had succeeded, the country could have faced famine. He alleged that the previous government delayed the investigation into the matter. "The CID had carried out an investigation, and there was a clear instruction that names of Bangladesh Bank officials involved should be excluded from the committee’s report," Asif Nazrul said. "I have enquired what action was taken against those initially named in the CID report, and instructions have been given for follow-up measures," the adviser added.

The Law Ministry has rejected an application seeking permission for sending BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia abroad for treatment. The Law Ministry gave this opinion upon receiving an application sent by the Home Ministry in response to the request of the family of the former prime minister, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq told reporters at the secretariat on Sunday. Earlier, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Saturday (September 30, 2023) said there are legal complications regarding allowing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to be taken abroad for treatment. Also read: Govt sincere to ensure Khaleda Zia gets best treatment: Hasan Mahmud The home minister said that Khaleda Zia was convicted in several cases and she had been in jail. But following the appeal of her relatives, the prime minister suspended her sentence and arranged treatment at home. Arrangements have been made for her to receive the best treatment possible, he said at an event at the Institute of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh (IDEB) building in Dhaka. He said that Khaleda Zia’s brother made an appeal to take her abroad, but there are some legal complications. On September 24, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir  issued an ultimatum to the government to take necessary steps to send BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia abroad for better treatment within 48 hours, or be held responsible should anything happen to her. Also read: Khaleda Zia again moved to CCU from cabin at Evercare Hospital On September 18, the government has once again extended the suspension of Khaleda Zia’s jail term by another six months. The Security Services Division under the Home Ministry issued a notification in this regard. Khaleda Zia has to take treatment from her Dhaka residence and she will not be allowed to go abroad during this period, said the notification. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, was transferred to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) from a cabin on Friday afternoon. Also read: Application must be submitted to Home Ministry to allow Khaleda Zia to go abroad for better treatment: Law Minister "Khaleda Zia was transferred to the CCU in the afternoon as per the recommendation of her medical board,” said her personal physician AZM Zahid Hossain. The 78-year-old former prime minister has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems.

The Law Ministry on Wednesday recommended for extending BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s jail term suspension period by another six months. The recommendation was resent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Law Minister Anisul Huq told UNB on Wednesday. Read: Petition for extending Khaleda’s sentences suspension sent to Law Ministry: Home Minister Anisul Huq said Khaleda’s sentence suspension period was extended by another six months under the previous conditions (not allowed to go abroad and to undergo medical treatment in the country). “Everything is as before, nothing new has been added,” he added. Earlier in the day, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said the petition seeking extension of Khaleda Zia’s jail term suspension was sent to the Law Ministry for scrutinizing.

The petition seeking extension  of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s jail term suspension  has been sent to the Law Ministry for scrutinising, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan. “We have got an application from the family of Khaleda and we have sent it to the Law Ministry,” he said. Read:Slashing VAT, taxes on essential commodities during Ramadan under consideration: Home Minister The home minister came up with the information while talking to reporters after a meeting on law and order situation on the occasion of Independence Day at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Meanwhile, Law Minister Anisul Haque said Khaleda’s petition has arrived in the ministry. “We will send the petition to the Home Ministry with our observation and the Home ministry will give its opinion on it.” On February 8, 2018, Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Central Jail after a subordinate court sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. The High Court later doubled her jail term. The former prime minister was found guilty in another corruption case the same year. Her party claims both cases are politically motivated.

As per the opinion of the Law Ministry, there is no scope in the law to allow BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for medical treatment, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Tuesday. “The Law Ministry in its opinion said there’s no scope in law to let Khaleda Zia go abroad for treatment. The Law Ministry gave its opinion with the explanation of the relevant law, and we’re reviewing it,” he said while talking to reporters at the Secretariat on Tuesday. Read: Khaleda’s plea to go abroad: Law Ministry forwards opinion to Home Ministry The opinion of the ministry will be sent to the Prime Minister after its review, the home minister said. On Monday, the Law Ministry forwarded its opinion to the Home Ministry on an application seeking permission to allow Khaleda Zia to go abroad for treatment.

The Law Ministry on Monday forwarded its opinion to the Home Ministry on an application seeking permission to allow BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for treatment. Law Minister Anisul Haque told reporters at the Secretariat that he sent the legal opinion on the application of the BNP chief’s family to the Home Ministry. Declining to elaborate, he said, “We’ve given our opinion on the application of Khaleda Zia’s brother, and sent it to the Home Ministry.” Also read: Khaleda’s treatment abroad: HC likely to hear petition Wednesday The minister said the Home Ministry will now send the file to the Prime Minister's Office for approval. “I can’t disclose it to you (journalists) now as I have to keep it secret until the Prime Minister sees it,” he said. He said the decision on the plea will be known once the Prime Minister clears it. CrPC Replying to a question, the Law Minister said there is no scope to reconsider the ‘’past and closed transactions’’ under the six-sub sections of 401 of the Criminal Code of Procedure (CrPC). Anisul said the explanation he gave earlier on the legal barrier to reconsider an application that was disposed of earlier under section 401 is lawful. “I think my explanation was right.” On December 5, the Law Minister said the government is assessing whether there is any legal option to allow BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for medical treatment. “As there’re many applications, including from lawyers, I think it’s appropriate to come to a well-thought-out decision after examining all aspects and whether there is any scope to do something in any way,” he added. Also read: Law will move on its own pace, Anisul says on Khaleda's treatment abroad Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13. The BNP chief’s medical board members on November 28 said she immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. On behalf of her family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 seeking permission to take her abroad for treatment. Though the government earlier twice turned down such applications, it is taking time to dispose of the fresh plea of the BNP chief’s family. On November 28, the Law Minister told parliament that Khaleda is now free as she is not in government custody. He also said as Khaleda was temporarily released under section 401 of the Criminal Code of Procedure based on some conditions, including not leaving the country, there is no provision in the law to allow her to go abroad now until she submits a fresh petition after returning to jail. BNP leaders and pro-BNP lawyers, however, have long been arguing that the government has the unlimited authority to take any decision in this regard under section 401 of the Criminal Code of Procedures. The party has also been observing various programmes since November 25 demanding that the BNP chief be allowed to go abroad as there is no advanced cnetre in Bangladesh to treat her liver cirrhosis problem.