Law
week
Kibria killing case: Punishment to killers demanded
Speakers at a rally in the city demanded speedy trial of Shah AMS Kibria murder case and exemplary punishment to his killers.
They said the killing case of Kibria, former finance minister and UN under-secretary general, remains pending for the last four years at different stages.
Bangabandhu Smriti Chorcha Kendra organised the programme at the National Press Club to mark the 4th death anniversary of the minister with its President Shah Abdul Musabbir in the chair. - The Daily Star 27 February 2009.
Contempt rule on barrister Rafique
The High Court (HC) on 25 February 2009 issued a rule on barrister Rafique-Ul Huq to show cause within three weeks why punitive action should not be taken against him on charge of contempt of court for using 'abusive' and 'objectionable' language about a judge of the court.
Responding to a contempt petition jointly filed by two SC lawyers, an HC bench also directed Rafique, one of the senior most lawyers of the Supreme Court (SC), to appear in person before it at 10:30am on March 22 in connection with this petition.
The HC bench comprised of Justice Syed AB Mahmudul Huq and Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury. Petitioners' counsel Ramzan Ali Sikder told newsmen that Rafique had abruptly stood up and shouted abusive and objectionable languages at Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury during the delivery of a dissenting judgement on February 23. - The Daily Star 26 February 2009.
New bill on RTI tabled in JS
The government has placed a bill in parliament seeking to enact a law to ensure people's empowerment by allowing them to have access to their right to information. The bill was tabled when the much talked about Right to Information Ordinance 2008 ceased to be in force.
The bill titled 'Right to Information (RTI) Act 2009' will have a retrospective effect from October 20, 2008, the day the immediate past caretaker government promulgated the right to information Ordinance.
Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad placed the bill in supplementary orders of the day and sent it to the parliamentary standing committee on information ministry to report back to the House on scrutiny within 10 days.
All sorts of registered organisations will now come under the law and be bound to provide citizens with information on matters of public interest once the RTI is passed. - The Daily Star 26 February 2009.
Army-BDR's poll day power cut
Parliament passed a bill scrapping the authority of the military and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) personnel to arrest anyone without warrant for violation of electoral laws on the polling day.
The bill ratifies the three Ordinances promulgated by the immediate past caretaker government amending Representation of the People Order (RPO) before the ninth parliamentary polls last year.
It also does away with the 'no-vote' option introduced in 2008 as part of electoral reforms.
It however includes a new provision to provide for postal ballot for Bangladeshis living abroad and officials on election duty.
This apart, the provisions incorporated in the RPO through the Ordinances remain intact. - The Daily Star 25 February 2009.
Leave local govt alone
Newly elected upazila chairmen and vice-chairmen on 23 February 2009 asked the government to make laws in line with Local Government (Upazila Parishad) Ordinance 2008 for better functioning of the local bodies.
They also blasted the plans to have lawmakers as advisers to the upazila councils, and said the parishads would weaken if compelled to follow 'dictates from the MPs'.
If the government lets the Ordinance promulgated by the immediate past caretaker government lose effect, and revives Upazila Parishad Act 1998 with a few amendments, it would serve a severe blow to the nation's aspiration for a strong local government system, they noted. - The Daily Star 24 February 2009.
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