ICT trial to start within Dec or Jan, 2011

BLHouse Report

Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed yesterday said that the main trial-procedure of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) would begin within this month or in January, 2011.

He said this after his address to the International Criminal Legal Tools Project Programme at the Liberation War Museum in the capital.

HC rule on blocking illegal mobile sets

BLHouse Report

The High Court has issued a rule upon the government to explain within four weeks why it should not be directed to take necessary steps to block international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) of unauthorised mobile phone sets.


The rule is for those handsets, which are lost or snatched away and illegal.

A division bench of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and Justice Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain Monday afternoon issued the rule following a writ petition filed by Mobile Phone User Development Society.

HC declares jobs of 200 medical officers at BSMMU illegal

BLHouse Report

The High Court yesterday declared illegal appointment of over 200 medical officers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

The officers were appointed during the BNP-led four party alliance government in 2005, as per  the rules made during the Awami League government in 2000 under BSMMU Act, 1998.

HC declares Kings College at Segunbagicha illegal

BLHouse Report

The High Court yesterday declared establishing of Kings College at Segunbagicha in the city illegal, concerned lawyer said.

The court directed the King College authorities to vacant the college premises from Segunbagicha within six months.

HC directs to reinstate 40 SIs sacked in 2003

BLHouse Report

The High Court yesterday directed to reinstate 40 Sub-Inspectors (SIs), forcibly terminated during the BNP-led four party alliance government, to their post.

A bench of the High Court comprising Justice Mohammad Momtazuddin Ahmed and Justice Gobindra Chandra Tagore passed the order upon two separate Writ petitions filed by the SIs challenging legality of the termination.

SC bar wants more power for HC judges

Leaders of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) yesterday (December 13) decided to adopt a hard line including boycotting the chief justice's court, if he does not empower more High Court judges to hear and dispose of bail petitions.

Only two HC benches are empowered to hear and dispose of bail petitions, they said at a general meeting held at South Hall of SCBA with its president Khandker Mahbub Hossain in the chair.

Framing rules on Import of Ships for Scrapping: HC starts hearing on BELA petition

The High Court yesterday started hearing a petition filed by Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela) seeking its directives on the government to frame specific rules over the import of ships for scrapping in accordance with HC guidelines.

Bela filed the petition on Sunday as a supplementary to the original writ petition upon which the HC had delivered verdict on March 17, 2009.

War Crimes Trial: HC order on petitions tomorrow

The High Court will pass orders tomorrow on the petitions filed by five detained leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e Islami for quashing the proceedings of International Crimes Tribunal against them in connection with crimes against humanity in 1971.

On conclusion of the hearing on the petitions, an HC bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice AKM Abdul Hakim yesterday fixed the date for orders.

Leave-to-appeal of 84 upazila election officers accepted

BLHouse Report

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court yesterday accepted a leave-to-appeal filed by the government against a Administrative Appellate Tribunal's judgment that directed the Election Commission to reinstate 84 upazila election officers, terminated during the last caretaker government.

The apex court also set February 22 next year for hearing on the matter.

Four judges taken oath, SCBA boycotted oath taking ceremony

BLHouse Report

The Chief Justice yesterday (December 12) administered oath to newly appointed four additional judges of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court.

The additional judges are: Bhabani Prashad Singh, District Judge on leave prior to retirement (LPR), M Anwarul Haque, Secretary to the Law and Justice Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury, Deputy Attorney General and Md Ashraful Kamal, lawyer of the Supreme Court

Mayors don't need to resign to participate polls

BLHouse Report

The High Court yesterday (December 12) stayed effectiveness of the rules of the Election Commission that if the incumbent Mayors wanted to participate in the Pourashava polls, they have to first resign from their posts.

The court also issued a rule to explain that why the rules should not be declared illegal.

HC stayed Chandpur Pourasava election activities

UNB, Dhaka, Dec 12

The High Court on Sunday stayed the Chandpur Pourasava (municipality) election activities until the Election Commission prepares a proper, updated and accurate electoral roll.

On December 2, the Election Commission announced the election schedule for Chandpur Pourasava fixing January 18 next year as the polling date.