The High Court yesterday directed the government to return the passport of Naziur Rahman Manzur. secretary general of Jatiya Party (Ershad). to him within 15 days from the date of U^receipt of the order, reports

A High Court Division bench comprising Justice Mohammad Mozammel Haque and Justice Mohammad Abdur Rashid declared that the seizure of the passport of Manzur by the police of the immigration at Zia International Airport (ZIA) on August 21. 1999 is Illegal.

The court pronounced the judgement upon a writ petition filed by Manzur challenging the seizure of his passport.

Rosy Ara. Inspector of Police. Immigration at ZIA. seized Manzur's passport for special reason on August 21. 1999 when he returned to Dhaka from Sin gapore. Barrister Rafique-UI Haque and Advocate Faheemul Haque appeared for the writ petitioner.

Additional Attorney General Mahbubey Alam and Deputy Attorney General Syed Mahmud Hasan appeared for the state.