HC questions guideline, committee for reviewing freedom fighters

The High Court today questioned the legality of the guideline and committee made by the government for scrutinising the freedom fighters.

The court issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government to explain in two weeks as to why the guideline and committee issued and formed respectively for scrutinising the freedom fighters should not be declared illegal.

Secretary to the ministry of liberation war affairs and director general of Jatiya Muktijoddha Council (JMC) have been made respondents to the rule.

The HC bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice JBM Hassan came up with the ruling following a writ petition filed by nine freedom fighters of Kishoreganj challenging the legality of the manual and committee for scrutinising the freedom fighters.

Petitioners’ lawyer Hasnat Kaiyum told reporters that the JMC has issued a guideline on November 4 last year for scrutinising the freedom fighters.

Meanwhile, the ministry of liberation war on January 12 this year formed metropolitan, district and upazila committees for scrutinising the freedom fighters, he said, adding that preparing such guideline and forming of such committees for scrutinising the freedom fighters are against Jatiya Muktijoddha Council Act, 2002.

The lawyer said the gazette on the freedom fighters has been issued after scrutinising them.

Under the provisions of the gazette, non freedom fighters can be dropped from the list of freedom fighters and even action can be taken in this regard, the counsel said, adding that there is no rule under the law for scrutinizing the freedom fighters by issuing a guideline and forming committees.

Deputy Attorney General Motaher Hossain Sazu represented the government.