The High Court today wanted to know the government's decision about the old trees at the capital's Suhrawardy Udyan, a historical place related to the republic's Liberation War.

The court sought for the resolution of a meeting organised by the liberation war affairs ministry on this issue on June 24 with its Minister AKM Mozammel Haque in the chair.

The HC bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice SM Maniruzzaman asked Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Samarendra Nath Biswas to collect the resolution from the ministry and to submit it to this court in two weeks.

The bench passed the order during hearing on a writ petition filed to seek its directive upon the government not to cut trees and damage the environment and characteristics of Suhrawardy Udyan.

It fixed July 15 for further hearing on the petition.

DAG Samarendra Nath Biswas told the HC that the government has suspended the process of cutting trees at Suhrawardy Udyan.

Liberation Minister AKM Mozammel Haque held a meeting on June 24 on this issue, but the resolution of the meeting was yet to be finalised, he said, adding that he will submit the resolution to the court once he receives it.

Lawyer Syeda Rizwana Hasan appeared for the writ petitioners during the virtual hearing of the petition today.

Read More: Tree-felling at Suhrawardy Udyan: HC hopes problems will be resolved through discussion

The High Court has sought relevant documents from the government to determine BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's "genuine" date of birth.

In response to a writ petition, the court asked the authorities concerned of the government to provide the record regarding her date of birth in 60 days.

The HC also issued a rule asking the respondents to show causes why their inaction to prosecute Khaleda Zia under relevant law for celebrating her birthday on different dates deliberately to malign and undermine the solemnity of National Mourning Day on August 15 should not be declared illegal.

Secretaries to the ministries of home affairs and health and family planning, inspector general of police, commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, and officer-in-charge of Gulshan Police Station have made respondents to the rule.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Sardar Md Rashed Jahangir came up with the order and rule after holding hearing on a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Mamun Or Rashid, challenging the legality of celebrating birthday by Khaleda Zia on August 15.

The petitioner said that it is a matter of great distress for the nation that Khaleda Zia has mentioned and used her date of birth on August 15, 1946 in the current passport with an ulterior motive -- to malign the National Mourning Day when the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was brutally killed with his family members in 1975.

Also, Khaleda Zia's date of birth is September 5, 1946 according to her SSC certificate; August 4, 1944 according to her marriage registration certificate; August 5, 1946 according to her machine-readable passport; and May 8, 1946 according to her Covid-19 test report, the petitioner said in the petition.

BNP's Joint Secretary General and former Supreme Court Bar Association Secretary AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon opposed the petition, saying that the writ petitioner has been filed in order to achieve political gains.

Thousands of people including Khaleda Zia were born on August 15, he said, adding it is not the work of the HC to deal with such a matter involving a birthday.

The High Court today directed the authorities concerned to stop DJ party, illegal and cruel activities and bullying in the name of rag day at all educational institutions in 30 days.

The court also issued a rule asking the authorities to explain in four weeks why their inaction to stop such activities at the institutions should not be declared illegal.

Secretaries to the ministries of education, cultural affairs, and information and broadcasting; vice chancellors of universities concerned, inspector general of police; chairman of University Grants Commission and director general of Secondary Education Board have been made respondents to the rule.

The HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Khizir Hayat came up with the order and rule following a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Kamrul Hasan seeking necessary directives on the issue.

Deputy Attorney General Bepul Bagmar represented the state during hearing of the petition.

A team of foreign election observers said they witnessed calm and peaceful election at different polling centres in the capital yesterday.

“We have visited a number of polling stations… and as far as the perception goes there was calm, serene and ambiance in the polling stations,” said Aariz Aftab, chief electoral officer of West Bengal.

Talking to reporters at the end of voting, he said, “....a lot of gaiety was visible. Whatever we've perceived I think it was very meticulous planning and meticulous organisation by the Bangladesh Election Commission.

“We hope that through this visit the relationship between the EC of India and EC of Bangladesh will be strengthened... this is to carry forward good and cordial relationship between the election commissions of the two countries,” Aariz Aftab added.

The observer team includes five persons from Canada, India and Nepal; of them, three were from Indian election commission. Besides, three local observers visited polling centres.

“Everyone is getting access to their polling station and is able to cast their ballot and all of the officers and officials are doing a great job in maintaining order,” said Tania Dawn Foster, an observer from Canada.

Tania Foster said she visited five centres and a number of polling booths. “Everything that I have observed to this point has demonstrated that the voters are feeling empowered and enthusiastic about being able to come and vote,” she said, reports BSS.

She said the election has been “really orderly” that the voters are “feeling empowered and enthusiastic about being able to come and vote”.

Another Indian observer, Gautom Ghosh, said, “Voting going on very spontaneously. There is complete peace and I feel everything is good till now.”

Later, during a briefing at Sonargaon Hotel, Prime Minister's International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi told foreign observers that 18 people were killed in violence during the parliamentary election.

Of the victims, 12 were from the Awami League, three from BNP, one from Chhatra Sena, one ansar member and one bystander, he said.