law-order
Private school, college, madrasa teachers can’t be suspended for above 6 months: HC
The High Court on Thursday passed an order prohibiting suspension of non-government school, college and madrasa teachers for more than six months.
The court also said if suspension order passes six months it will not be valid anymore.
Bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Md Mostafizur rahman passed the order during a hearing on a writ petition filed in this regard.
Advocate Md humayun Kabir presented the petitioner’s side at the court while Deputy Attorney General Bipul Bagmar stood for state side.
The court has ordered to include the verdict in the terms of services of non-government school teachers, 1979.
In 2007, a teacher named Badshah Mia was suspended from his job in Baharbagh Secondary School in Magura upazila.
In 2017, he filed a writ petition as accusation against him was not dissolved until then as no definite term was mentioned for keeping a non-government school teacher suspended.
Later the court issued a rule in this regard.
Petitioner’s lawyer Humayun Kabir said as the suspension order of Badshah Mia is not valid anymore according to the order there is no bar for him to get back to his work.
BTRC asked to remove defamatory videos on Japanese woman Eriko
The High Court Wednesday asked the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to remove all defamatory videos on Japanese citizen Nakano Eriko and the father of her daughters, Bangladeshi-American Imran Sharif, from online platforms.
The court also directed the Cyber Police Centre of the Criminal Investigation Department to take action against those involved in making and spreading the videos.
In addition, Eriko and Imran got permission to take their children outside for shopping and recreational activities separately.
Also, the court allowed Eriko to spend four nights with her daughters at a flat in Dhaka's Gulshan before the next hearing on September 16. Imran can stay with his daughters the rest of the time at the flat.
In addition, the court asked Imran to remove the CCTV cameras from the flat where Eriko is now staying with her daughters.
Hearing two separate applications filed by Eriko and Imran, the bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman came up with the orders.
On September 6, Eriko's lawyer Advocate Shishir Monir applied to the High Court for directions to remove all defamatory content related to the Japanese citizen from social media.
On August 31, the High Court asked Imran and Eriko to live at a Gulshan flat together for 15 days with their daughters.
The court came up with the order as the estranged couple had failed to agree on where and with whom their two daughters will live.
On July 18, Tokyo-based doctor Eriko came to Bangladesh and filed a writ petition with the High Court, seeking a directive on Imran to hand over the children to her custody.
Abrar murder: 25 accused indicted again
A Dhaka tribunal on Wednesday framed charges against 25 accused in the case filed in connection with the killing of Abrar Fahad, a student of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.
Judge Abu Zafar Mohammad Kamruzzaman of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 indicted the accused afresh and also fixed September 14 for submitting their statements in self-defence.
The court granted the application and re-framed charges against the defendants following an appeal by the prosecution filed by the public prosecutor Abu Abdulla Bhuyian.
PP Abdulla confirmed the information to the press.
“A few things were missed out during the formation of the complaint. Hence we applied to indict the accused again,” he added.
Abrar, 21, a second-year student of electrical and electronic engineering, was beaten to death reportedly by then Bangladesh Chhatra League leaders at Sher-e-Bangla Hall of the university.
Also read: 25 indicted for Buet student Abrar Murder
He was found dead on the staircase of the hall in the early hours of October 7 after he was taken to room No-2011 around 8pm on October 6 and beaten mercilessly.
His murder sparked nationwide outcry.
Later, Abrar's father filed a case with Chawkbazar police station over the matter.
On Sep 15 2019 , charges were framed against 25 accused in the murder case.
Include Bangabandhu’s 7th March speech in curricula: HC
The High Court on Wednesday ordered the authorities concerned to include the 7th March speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the curricula of educational institutions.
It also ordered the formation of an Education Expert Committee to determine whether it would be included in SSC, HSC or the higher level of education.
Read: Bangabandhu's 7th March speech to ever-inspire people of Bangladesh: Envoy
Justice FRM Najmul Ahasan and Justice Shahed Nuruddin passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Bashir Ahmed in 2017.
Attorney General AM Amid Uddin and Deputy Attorney General ABM Abdullah stood for the state.
Read: Bangabandhu’s historic March 7 speech translated to Irish, Scottish, Welsh languages
Lawyer Bashir Ahmed filed a writ petition in 2017 seeking necessary directives to declare the 7th March as National Historic Day and build a sculpture at the stage from where the speech was delivered.
On February 25 2020, the HC ordered the government to declare March 7 as "National Historic Day" and issue a gazette notification in this regard.
Anti-drugs drives: 43 people held in city
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested as many as 43 people for selling or consuming drugs in the past 24 hours, officials said on Wednesday.
The arrests were made by officials of the local police stations as well as the detective branch during several anti-narcotics drives across the capital from Tuesday 6am to 6am on Wednesday, said DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) Walid Hossain.
During the drives, police seized 4,491 Yaba tablets, 57.203 gram heroin, 16.10 kg hemp, 720 cans of beer and 150 bottles of Phensedyl from the possession of the arrestees.
Also read: 51 arrested in DMP anti-drug operations
Moreover, 28 cases have been filed against the arrestees at the police stations concerned under the Narcotics Control Act, officials said.
Also read: JS session: DMP bans arms, explosives, rallies around parliament
Sinha murder trial: Fifth witness testifies before court on day 3
The third day of second phase of testimonial statements in the murder case of Maj (retd) Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan concluded at a Cox’s Bazar court Tuesday with the testimony and statement of the fifth witness.
The court adjourned at around 5 pm after Hafeez Mohammad Amin’s testimony as an eyewitness and his interrogation by defense lawyers.
The statement was recorded before Cox’s Bazar district and session court Judge Md Ismail.
He was presented before the court amid tight security around 10 am on the day.
After the hearing, defense lawyer Rana Dasgupta told the media that Mohammad Amin is a Rohingya.
“He said that he saw the murder from atop a mosque and he used to work there. However, the president and the general secretary of the mosque informed us that they don’t know anyone by this name.”
Public Prosecutor Faridul Alam refuted the claim and said that the witness is a Bangladeshi citizen.
He went on to say that the national identity of the witness is irrelevant and the matter is being brought up to steer the conversation to a different direction.
Plaintiff's lawyer Advocate Mohammad Jahangir added that the aforementioned mosque does not have any committee.
READ: Sinha murder: Court warns against 'media trial'
“The concept of the president and general secretary not knowing the witness is ludicrous as the mosque doesn't have a committee in the first place,” he added.
Earlier, during the three-day testimonial statements recording from August 23 to August 25, plaintiff Sharmin Sahariya Ferdous, sister of Sinha, and witness Shahedul Islam Sifat’s statements were recorded.
On Sunday, third witness Mohammad Ali’s statement was recorded at the court on the first day of the second phase of testimonial statements.
On Monday the court heard from the fourth witness, CNG driver Kamal Hossain’s testimony .
The 11 other witnesses who received the court notice are scheduled to testify by Wednesday.
On July 31 last year, Sinha was shot dead at the Shamlapur police check-post in Baharchhara Union of Cox's Bazar while returning to town after filming for a documentary.
Read: Sinha murder: Defence lawyers allegedly obstruct trial
On August 5, Sinha's sister, Sharmin Shahriar Ferdous, filed a case with Teknaf Senior Judicial Magistrate Court accusing nine members of law enforcement agencies of being involved in the killing, including Pradeep Kumar Das and Baharchhara police outpost inspector Liakat Ali.
On December 13, 2020, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) submitted a charge sheet against 15 people, including police source Ayaz and three APBn members, in connection with the case filed over Sinha's murder at a checkpost manned by APBn, where officers of the Teknaf police station intercepted Sinha's car.
All of the 15 accused in the charge-sheet are currently in jail. Of them 12 have given confessional statements before court except OC Pradeep Kumar Das, constable Sagar Dev and Rubel Sharma.
Other accused of the case are- Inspector of Baharchara Police outpost Liakat Ali, sub-inspectors Nandolal Rakkhit and Tutul, assistant sub-inspector Liton Mia; constables Shafanur Karim, Kamal Hossain, Abdullah AL Mamun, , Md Rajib and Md Abdullah, ASI of APBN Md Shahjahan and Nurul Amin, Md Nizamuddin and Ayaz Uddin.
Court takes cognizance of charges against photojournalist Kajol
A cyber tribunal in Dhaka on Tuesday accepted charges against photojournalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol in a case filed under the Digital Security Act (DSA).
Judge Ash Sams Joglul Hossain of the Dhaka Cyber Tribunal relieved 31 others from the charges after a hearing, and fixed October 20 for framing charges against Kajol in the case.
Already enjoying bail from the High Court, the tribunal also granted him bail in the case.
Also read: DSA case against journalist Kajol shifted to Cyber Tribunal
On April 4, the case against Kajol was shifted to the Cyber Tribunal.
Investigating officer Md Rassel Mollah submitted the charge-sheet on March 14.
Jubo Mohila League central leader Sumaiya Chowdhury Bonnya filed the case on March 11 last year accusing Kajol of writing defamatory remarks on various MPs on his Facebook profile.
He was freed from the Dhaka Central Jail on December 25 last year.
On December 17, the High Court granted him bail in two cases filed under the DSA, clearing the way for his release.
Also read: Digital Security Act: Charges pressed against Kajol
On November 24 that year, the photojournalist secured bail in another case filed against him under the DSA.
Kajol had gone missing on March 10, 2020, a day after Magura-1 MP Saifuzzaman Shikhor filed the case against him and 31 others, including Manab Zamin Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury.
They were sued under the DSA for publishing and sharing an article on social media about expelled Jubo Mohila League leader Shamima Noor Papia.
Two other cases were filed against Kajol with KamrangirChar and Hazaribagh police stations under the same act on March 10 and March 11.
On May 3, Kajol was shown 'detained' by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) along the Benapole border after 53 days of his disappearance and was produced in a Jashore court, which sent him to jail.
HC bans police sub-inspector from investigating any case
The High Court on Monday ordered that Bagura Sub-Inspector Nayan Kumar is barred from investigating any case as he falsely implicated a 12-year-old child in the murder of his brother in Sariakandi in 2015.
The order will remain effective until disposal of the murder case.
A bench of Justice Jahangir Hossain Selim and Md Atwar Rahman passed the order during a hearing and said it will remain in force until the petition to review the accuracy and legality of the case is pending with the court.
The court also asked incumbent investigation officer of the case Natore CID Inspector Md Mansur Ali to submit medical report, recorded statement under section 164 of penal code and photocopy of the court order within September 27.
Also read: Sub-Inspector of police sent to jail in rape case
Advocate Shishir Monir presented the petitioner's side during the hearing while Deputy Attorney General Md Sarwar Hossain Bappy stood for the state.
On June 11, five Supreme Court lawyers filed a writ petition at the High Court challenging the juvenile court’s actions in this case attaching a news report on the issue.
Following the appeal, the court ordered first investigation officer of the case SI Nayan Kumar and current investigation officer Md Mansur Ali to be present before the court with the case documents.
On August 22, both the officers appeared before court and SI Nayan submitted an application seeking apologies for his mistake in the investigation.
The court then set the date of next hearing on the petition on September 6 Monday when the court observed that “What IS Nayan did was a crime, it was not a mistake out of negligence.”
On August 25, 2015, following the death of his eight-year old son Mahidul Islam filed a case with the Sariakandi police station.
Also read: Xulhaz-Tonoy murder: Six sentenced to death by Dhaka court
On November 29, police took Mahidul’s 12-year old son to the police station for questioning and he was produced before Bagura Senior Judicial Magistrate’s court the next day.
Petitioner’s elder son in court confessed he killed his younger brother out of jealousy and the court granted him bail as he was a minor.
But as a suspect the child had to appear before court during the every following hearing on the case.
Later SI Nayan submitted charge sheet of the murder case showing the 12-year brother as the main accused.
The case was transferred to Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) in 2017 when Mahidul Islam gave no-confidence petition in the charge sheet.
After four years, the PBI declared the child innocent and arrested two other people as accused.
Current Investigation Officer of the case Mansur Ali then exempted the child from the charge and filed a new charge sheet against the two arrestees.
Sinha murder: Court warns against 'media trial'
A Cox’s Bazar court has asked all concerned to be careful not to turn the Sinha Murder trial into a 'media trial'.
Judge Ismail Hossain of the Cox's Bazar District and Sessions Court made the observation after completion of recording witness statements Sunday.
Public Prosecutor Faridul Alam and Defendant's lawyer Advocate Rana Das Gupta revealed the court's observation to the press.
Read: Sinha murder case trial: Court records testimonial statements for 2nd day
They said that the court asked the responsible authorities to avoid talking to the media about the details of the case, stating that it increases the chance of a media trial .
The court on Sunday morning started the second phase of testimonies in a case filed over the murder of Major (retd) Sinha Md Rashed Khan.
The testimony of the third witness named Mohammad Ali was recorded during this time.
According to the case charge sheet, there are 83 witnesses.
The testimony of two others were recorded in the first phase between August 23-25.
Read: Sinha murder: Defence lawyers allegedly obstruct trial
They were plaintiff Sharmin Shahriar (Sinha's sister), and eyewitness Shahidul Islam Sifat.
Major (retd) Sinha was killed in police firing at Baharchhara police check-post on July 31.
Sharmin Shahriar filed the case at Teknaf Senior Judicial Magistrate Court, accusing 13 police members.
Journo Muzakkir Murder: Court stays bail order of three accused
Chamber court of the Appellate Division stayed the High Court’s bail order of three accused over the case of journalist Borhan Uddin Muzakkir murder amid political infighting in Noakhali's Companiganj.
Justice Obaydul Hasan stayed the bail order for six weeks after a petition was filed by the state side, said Deputy Attorney General Md Bashirullah.
On August 29, the High Court granted three-month bail to Yousuf Nabi alias Bahadur, Abdul Amin and Azizul Haque Manik, the three accused arrested in a case filed over the murder of journalist Muzakkir at Chaprashirhat in Noakhali's Companiganj.
Bench of Justice Farid Ahmed and Justice Mohi Uddin Shamim passed the order after hearing separate bail pleas of the defendants.
On February 19, clashes and gunfight took place between the supporters of Bashurhat Municipality Mayor Abdul Quader Mirza and former Companiganj upazila chairman Mizanur Rahman Badal over territorial supremacy.
Read: Attack on UNO’s house: Nine people get bail in Barishal
Both groups used firearms in the clash and the law enforcers fired several rounds of tear gas and shotguns to control the situation.
Muzakkir, a Noakhali district correspondent of online news portal Barta Bazar and also Companiganj correspondent for The Daily Bangladesh Samachar, suffered bullet wounds and fell on the ground when he was taking pictures and filming the intra-party clash.
The critically injured journalist was rushed to Noakhali General Hospital and later shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where he succumbed to injuries on February 20.
On February 23, Muzakkir's father Nurul Huda Master filed a case with Companiganj Police Station accusing unnamed people. Later the case was transferred to the Police Bureau of Investigation.