Control Over Lower Courts; No move to restore SC's authority, Govt seeks to retain power

The hope for effective separation of the judiciary from the executive branch of the state seems to have waned as it is now clear that the upcoming constitutional amendment will not restore two related articles to their original 1972 positions.

The Supreme Court in a landmark verdict on the constitution's fifth amendment sought restoration of articles 115 and 116 to their original positions for a meaningful separation of the judiciary from executive branch.
But the constitutional amendment bill placed in the parliament on Saturday did not make any proposal to restore the two articles to their original positions, as the government seeks to retain its control over the lower judiciary, sources said.

Rather, the changes brought to these two articles by the constitution's fourth amendment and martial law proclamations are set to remain unchanged according to the proposals approved by the cabinet.
The bill was prepared in line with the recommendations of the parliamentary special committee on constitutional amendment.

Tax lawyers for keeping ADR outside NBR

Individuals seeking to appeal with High Court against verdicts by Income Tax Tribunal will have to pay between 25-50 percent of the tax imposed by the court at the time of filing application.

The provision, proposed in the budget for the fiscal year of 2011-12, will create sufferings of taxpayers and aggrieved persons seeking justice, said Bangladesh Tax Lawyers' Association yesterday (June 26).

Koko's Tax Evasion Case; Hearing on charge framing deferred

A Dhaka court yesterday (June 26) extended the time for 18th time adjourning the hearing on charge framing till July 28 against Arafat Rahman Koko, son of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, in a tax evasion case.

Meantime, Koko, who had earlier gone abroad for treatment, was sentenced to six years' rigorous imprisonment for siphoning off over Tk 20 crore to Singapore.

Changes to Charter; JS body starts scrutiny of bill today

The parliamentary standing committee on the law ministry today starts scrutiny of the constitution amendment bill placed in parliament on Saturday (June 25).

The bill proposes some major changes in the charter including scrapping of the provisions for caretaker government system for holding parliamentary elections.

Govt Plot Scam; ACC sues three ex-RDA officials

The Anti-Corruption Commission has sued three former officials of Rajshahi Development Authority (RDA) for illegally acquiring 18 government plots six years ago.

The accused are former RDA chairman Tapan Chandra Majumder, former chief accounts officer Abdur Rab Joardar and former estate officer Abu Bakar Siddique.

Torture on Rumana; Sumon sent to jail

A Dhaka Court yesterday (June 26) sent Hasan Sayeed Sumon, who tortured his wife Rumana Manzur and damaged her eyes, to jail rejecting separate prayers for bail and remand.

SC yet to get copy of reprinted Charter; Where have 500 copies gone?

Even after 136 days since the Constitution was reprinted, the charter’s guardian, the Supreme Court, is yet to get a copy of the new version. 

 

Lawyers and judges are wondering where have the 500 copies of the reprinted Constitution gone. 

Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Law Ministry reprinted 500 copies of the Constitution on February 10 at the Bangladesh Government (BG) Press in the light of the Supreme Court verdict on the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution.

Retd judges can practice law, work; SC restores Article 99

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday ( June 21) further modified its earlier judgment on the Fifth Amendment to the constitution enabling retired judges of the High Court Division to pursue legal profession in the Appellate Division. 

Under the modification, the judges retired from the SC can hold judicial and quasi-judicial offices, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told journalists at his office after the order. 

Earlier, the retired judges were barred from doing so as per the Constitution reprinted by the Law Ministry on February 10 after the apex court declared the 5th amendment to the Constitution illegal, he said. 

Judiciary ensures rule of law in Bangladesh, Chief justice tells London conference

Chief Justice Muzammel Hossain, stated in London on Tuesday (June 21) that the judiciary had been playing a significant role in ensuring the rule of law and democracy in Bangladesh. 

Speaking at an international conference of jurists on the theme of judicial reforms, Justice Hossain referred to some recent landmark judgements by the higher judiciary in the country, with particular reference to the striking down of the Fifth Amendment to the constitution, and observed that such moves were a reflection of the popular desire to prevent any unconstitutional seizure of power in future by forces opposed to democracy.

RU Student Murder; Verdict on bail petition today

The High Court yesterday (June 23) fixed today for delivering a final verdict on a bail petition filed by three detained Jamaat-e-Islami leaders in connection with Rajshashi University student Faruk Hossain murder case.

Verdict in Koko’s money laundering case today

A Dhaka court on Thursday (June 23) will deliver the verdict of a case filed against Arafat Rahman Koko in connection with siphoning off over Tk 20 crore bribe money to Singapore. 

Arafat Rahman Koko

If convicted, Koko, youngest son of BNP chief Khaleda Zia, could get a sentence of seven years' imprisonment.


Ismail Hossain Saimon, son of former shipping minister late Akbar Hossain, is also accused in this case.

A Singapore court on January 2 punished a businessman of Singapore for keeping Koko's money in his personal account.