<%-- Page Title--%> Law Week <%-- End Page Title--%>

June 08, 2003 

Verdict of Habibur Rahman
Mondol murder case

Two persons have been sentenced to death and 13 to life term imprisonment in the sensational Advocate Habibur Rahman Mondol murder case. Three others have been acquitted of the charges. Those to die are Shahidur Rahman Shahid, ward commissioner of Dhaka City Corporation, and 'Kala' Jahangir, a listed criminal. Shahid is in jail custody while Jahangir is absconding. Shahed Noor Uddin, Judge of Speedy Trial Tribunal, Dhaka Division, delivered the judgement. The tribunal completed hearing of the case in 135 working days. It may be mentioned that Habibur Rahman Mondol was gunned down in old Dhaka on 20 August. 2000. On 6 June, IO of the case submitted final report stating that allegations against the accused were not proved. Upon a 'naraji' petition, CMM court ordered further investigation of the case by CID. The CID submitted chargesheet on 4 Nevember 2002. Trial of the case began on 17 January and 27 prosecution witness were cross-examined. -Law Desk.

Punishment for false case

A complainant and two witnesses have been convicted for seven years rigorous imprisonment by a tribunal on charge of filing false and concocted case of acid throwing. The tribunal also acquitted accused of the case. Mr. Shafaruddin 14 September 2002 filed a case with Badda thana alleging that accused Rubel and her sister Salma threw acid on the complainants on 10 September. After investigation the IO submitted chargesheet of the case on 20 December. After examining 10 witnesses, Judge of the Prevention of Acid Crime found the case false, fabricated and concocted. The court thereafter, acquitted the accused and convicted the complainant, his wife and daughter. The court also ordered the Inspector General of Police to take departmental action against IO of the case. -Ittefaq, 31 May

41 Children killed in May

One hundred and forty two people including forty one children has been killed through the violation of human rights across the country in May 2003. Odhikar, a human rights organisation revealed this information in its monthly report. The report added that during this period, three journalists were injured, five arrested and one assaulted. Seven journalists received threat, and cases were filed against nine others. . According to the report one hundred and forty nine women and children were raped and of them 14 were killed thereafter. Besides, 32 became victims of acid throwing. One hundred and eighty three children were tortured. Of them, 57 were violated, 25 injured and 12 committed suicide. Besides, five children were trafficked, 37 kidnapped, three missing and three received acid burn The report also said that 31 women were killed over dowry during this period. Four women committed suicide while 10 including three men were tortured in dowry related incidents.-Ittefaq, 01 June.

Anti-tobacco bill in the making

The government is likely to place an anti-tobacco bill in the upcoming session of parliament to discourage .smoking at public places. With this end in view, the cabinet has already decided on principal to promulgate the law. LGRD Minister Mr. Mannan Bhuiyan said by while he was speaking at a discussion meeting organised by Manas on the occasion of 'World No Tobacco Day'. Mr. Bhuiyan underscored the need for massive campaign against smoking to make the people aware of the adverse effect of tobacco. The minister assured that the government would extend all supports including financial and legal help to carry forward the anti-tobacco movement.- News Today, 01 June.

20,000 trafficked annually

About 20,000 Bangladeshi women and children are trafficked to major cities in India and Pakistan and in the Middle East every year. In the last 30 years over one million women and children were smuggled abroad and many of them ended up becoming prostitutes, domestic helps, camel jockeys and beggars. The figures were presented at a press conference jointly organised by The American Centre and Action Against Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children (ATSEC). Director of American Centre Karl Fritz, Project Director of ATSEC Khadija Bilkis spoke at the press conference. They said Dhaka and Jessore are the most traffic-prone routes in Bangladesh followed by Rajshahi, Laxmipur and Sathkhira. - Janakantha, 02 June.

Amendment to flag rule soon

The cabinet has decided to exempt foreign container operators from waiver certificate before loading and unloading goods. A bill in this regard will be placed in the next session of the Jatiya Sangsad for amendment to the Bangladesh Flag Vessel (Protection) Ordinance, 1982, to facilitate foreign trade by using foreign vessels along with the national flag carriers. It may be mentioned that to protect the interest of the Bangladeshi shippers the government enacted the Bangladesh Flag Vessel (Protection) Ordinance, 1982, imposing some restrictions on loading of export cargo in foreign vessels. - Law Desk.

74 killed in 12 years over char violence

A total of 74 people were killed and 2,818 people injured in different violent clashes in the char areas of the country from 1991 to 2003. Besides some 48 people remained missing while 50 others were abducted from the char areas. In addition 219 crimes were committed during the same period in the char areas. This figures were revealed by Samata, a non-governmental organisation. The report identified five districts- Lakshipur, Noakhali, Barishal, Patuakhali and Bhola as most violence prone areas. The report also said that the highest 40 percent incidents took place in Chittagong division while 36 percent in Barishal, 14 percent in Dhaka, seven percent in Rajshahi and three percent in Khulna. According to the report, the major causes of the violence incidents are secret nexus between the officials of the local administration and the leaders of political parties, existing alluvial and dilluvial law, survey of land, lack of interim survey etc. - Ittefaq, 03 June.

Draft law on RAB finalised

The cabinet committee on law and order has finalised a draft law for creating a new elite security force called Rapid Action Force (RAB) to deal with the country wide deteriorating law and order situation. The new force would be formed under the Armed Police Battalion Ordinance recruiting the in-service members from al the disciplined forces including Army, Navy, BDR, Air Force and Police. Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Moudud Ahmed said the draft law for the RAB would be placed before the cabinet soon. And if the cabinet approves the law, it would be tabled in the ensuing session of the parliament. -Jugantor, 03 June.

Law and order deteriorates in Shariatpur

The overall law and order situation in and around Shariatpur town is deteriorating day by day. The district town now has turned into a town of terrorists. A total lawlessness is prevailing in all parts of the town. Rioting, kidnapping, toll collection has become a common affair. Victims do not even complain to police fearing further reprisal. So the number of crime in police record are quite less wile the town dwellers alleges that the number is much higher. -Bangladesh Observer, 21, May.