Tuesday 9 November 2010

Hearing on leave-to-appeal of Khaleda cantt house in full bench

BLHouse Report

The leave-to-appeal filed challenging a High Court verdict regarding BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's cantonment house is set to be heard at the full bench of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court today (Wednesday).

Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice Md Muzammel Hossain yesterday after a short hearing sent the petition to the full bench and set today for hearing on it.

The Chamber Judge, however, didn't stay the HC judgment that rejected a Writ petition filed by Khaldeda Zia challenging a government notice that asked her to vacate the residence in Shaheed Mainul Road of Dhaka Cantonment.

Justice TH Khan, lawyer of Khaleda Zia, place his submission in the court.

Khaldea Zia's lawyers filed the leave-to-appeal on Monday seeking a stay order on the HC judgment, and a permission to file a regular appeal against the verdict.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court environment was heated up as a large number of pro-BNP and pro-Awami League lawyers gathered in the SC premises and crowed the Chamber Judge's court.

The agitated activists and supporters of BNP, Jubo Dal, Chattra Dal and other front organisations staged demonstration in the court premises when the Chamber judge of the Supreme Court set time till Wednesday next for hearing for Khaleda’s stay petition over Cantonmentt house.

Several contingents of police, RAB, Armed Police Battalion with arms, plastic shields and sticks were deployed there to prevent any untoward situation.

Besides, members of different intelligence agencies were stationed at different points to increase vigilance.

Meanwhile, police picked up 15 persons on suspicion from the Supreme Court premises during the agitation.

Police members with arms and shields stood in front of the Chamber Judge court shoulder-to-shoulder and blocked entrance of the courtroom, preventing entry of the lawyers and general people.

BNP lawyers were faced engaged in shouting and equating with the police inside the SC premises.

The law enforcers searched cars and people at the three main entrances of the SC and in some other spots inside the court premises. Some persons were harassed while they were being searched, asked to show their driving licenses and obstructed to enter into the court premises.

On October 13, a bench of the HC comprising Justice Nazmun Ara Sultana and Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif passed the judgment regarding the cantonment residence.

The court in its judgment directed the government to give Khaleda Zia one month time to vacate her residence.

The house was leased to Khaleda Zia in 1982 by then government after assassination of her husband and former president Ziaur Rahman.

On April 8, 2009, the cabinet headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina cancelled the lease. Subsequently, the she was served a notice to vacate her residence.

On May 3 of the year, Khaleda Zia filed the Writ petition with the HC challenging the notice.

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