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LAW week
Hasina falls sick in courtroom
Proceedings ofTk 3cr extortion case adjourned Detained former premier Sheikh Hasina fell sick during a hearing at the special courtroom on charge framing against her in a Tk 3 crore extortion case. Later, the Court of Metropolitan Sessions Judge adjourned the proceedings till as the defence could not complete examining the evidence produced by the prosecution. Hasina and Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, her cousin and co-accused in the case filed by Azam J Chowdhury, were presented in the court. As Judge Mohammad Azizul Haque asked for opinion on the issue, the prosecution lawyers said they do not have any problem but the defence should come up with a petition. Following a written prayer by Hasina's lawyers, the court granted the permission and asked the security personnel to take her back to the subjail, a special prison set up in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban complex. --The Daily Star, January 01.
Ex-MP Pramanik sued for abetting militants
Former BNP lawmaker Shamsul Alam Pramanik and 12 others have been sued for extortion and patronising militants. Poultry trader Azizul Alam of Dashpara village in Manda upazila of the district filed the case with the cognisance court here on July 7 this year. The judge ordered investigation into the case. After necessary investigation, police accepted the case as regular one. Azizul Islam alleged that Pramanik and his associates realised Tk 50,000 in toll from him on behalf of JMB second in command Siddiqui Islam alias Bangla Bhai on February 28,2004. Of the accused, lecturer Rafiqul Islam of Baghmara upazila, principal Mostafizur Rahman and Hafez Mizanur Rahman have already been jailed for 31 years in another case with former post and telecommunications minister Aminul Haq for patronising militants. --Unb, January 01.
Formulate policy to ensure rights of children with disability
Participants at the Caregivers Conference of Persons with Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities hold a candle light vigil at Biam auditorium in the city with a vow to establish the rights of the children with disability. Jaheda Khatun, aged around 40 years, has become tired with her four sons as all of them are physically and mentally challenged and the society did not extended any support to the poor woman to rear her children. "My sons could not be admitted to any government primary school although I managed to get them admitted to a private school. But they were ousted after three months saying that other students would be spoiled if they continue to study there," said Jaheda at the Caregivers Conference of Persons with Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities in the city. The conference was organised by SEID Trust in association with Actionaid and Steps Towards Development at Biam auditorium. Jaheda said she is living at the Geneva Camp as nobody is willing to rent house to her because of her children with disability. "My relatives also used to scold me saying that my children are the results of my sin," continued ‘ Jaheda in an emotion-choked voice, adding that only the Seid Trust has come forward to provide education to her children recently. Like Jaheda, there are many women who have to suffer repression from the husband's family only for giving birth to physically or mentally challenged children. " It is time to change the attitude of the society towards the people with disability. At the same time, the government should formulate policy to establish the rights of children with disability and quota system in every school for them," said Taleya Rehman, executive director of DemocracyWatch.-- The Daily Star, January 01.
Former forest chief confesses to graft
Detained former chief conservator of forest Munshi Anwarul Islam confessed to a magistrate that he amassed a huge amount of wealth illegally when he was the forest boss. Meanwhile, detained former state minister for liberation war affairs ministry Redwan Ahmed was shown arrested in the case filed in connection with amassing wealth illegally. Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Hemayet Uddin recorded the statement of the forest boss after investigation officer (IO) Mirza Zahidul Alam, assistant director of the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC), brought Anwar to the magistrate's chamber. On October 23, ACC Assistant Director SM Sahidur Rahman filed the case with Ramna Police Station against Anwar on charge of amassing illegal wealth and providing false statement about his property to the anti-corruption watchdog. The complainant in his first information report (FIR) stated that although the former top forest boss drew a total salary of Tk 30.49 lakh during his stint at the top position of the forest department, he accumulated wealth to the tune of Tk 2.9 crore in his name and in the names of his wife, sons and relatives between 1996 and 2007. -- The Daily Star, December 31.
Govt discusses anti-terrorism ordinance
The Council of Advisers of the Caretaker Government elaborately discussed the draft of a new law styled Anti-terrorism Ordinance 2007, meant for effectively dealing with acts of terrorism. After the scrutiny, the council asked the ministry concerned to come up with the draft incorporating "more specific and clearer definition of terrorism". The council, examining the draft ordinance in a regular meeting with Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair, directed the Law Ministry to further review and research the draft through studying the definition of terrorism given by other countries and place the new ordinance again before the council. The previous government had prepared a draft bill on "The Anti-terrorism Act 2006" and formed a committee for vetting. But, the past government's tenure was over during the working of the committee. The council approved a proposal extending Open Sky system for one month more for the three international airports in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet in view of "positive response" following the introduction of the system. The government had given permission for open sky for three months from October 1. The meeting discussed in details about Bangladesh Television Authority Act, 2001. It asked the ministry concerned to further review a draft amendment and discuss it with the related stakeholders for making BTV more autonomous and again place it before the council. Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim briefed newsmen about the outcome of the meeting. — Unb, Dhaka, December 31.
Expatriates in US want voting rights
Bangladeshi expatriates living in the United States urged the government to enroll them as voters of their motherland. "We (Bangladeshi expatriates] contribute to our country's economy by sending remittance and therefore as patriotic citizens of Bangladesh, our voting rights need to be ensured," said Nurun Nabi, a renowned scientist and councilman of New Jersey, US, at a press conference of non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) at Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital.
The expatriates also said the caretaker government should lift the state of emergency for holding a free, fair and credible election in Bangladesh. They demanded banning war criminals and corrupt politicians from taking part in the polls. Abdul A Momen of Framingham State College, US, Zainul Abedin, regional chairman of US Small Business Administration, Abu Taleb, a researcher on local government and democratisation and Munirul Islam were present at the press conference. The Bangladeshi expatriates in the US demanded a reserved seat in parliament for the expatriates. "To hold a free, fair and credible election in Bangladesh, the caretaker government should lift the emergency," Abdul A Momen said.-- The Daily Star, December 31.