Petition filed against Maya's holding office
A writ petition was filed with the High Court yesterday challenging the legality of Relief and Disaster Management Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya as a minister and a lawmaker.
Eunus Ali Akond, a Supreme Court lawyer, submitted the petition also seeking a HC rule upon Maya to explain under what authority he was holding the posts after the Supreme Court scrapped his acquittal in a corruption case.
The lawyer prayed to the court to direct the Awami League leader to refrain from functioning as a minister and a lawmaker until the HC disposes of the rule.
In the petition, Eunus said Maya could not serve as minister and a parliament member as per Article 66 (2)(D) of the constitution as he remained convicted in a graft case following the SC order.
The article says, “A person shall be disqualified for election as, or for being, a member of parliament who –has been, on conviction for a criminal offence involving moral turpitude, sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years, unless a period of five years has elapsed since his release”.
Eunus yesterday told The Daily Star that a hearing on his petition could take place today.
On February 14, 2008, a special court sentenced Maya to 13 years in prison and Tk 5 crore in fine for amassing illegal property in the case filed the previous year.
In October 2010, the HC cleared the AL leader of the charges following an appeal by him.
But on June 14 this year, the apex court scrapped the HC judgment and directed it to hold further hearing, and dispose of Maya's appeal challenging the lower court verdict.
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