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September 26, 2004 

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IMF may enjoy legal immunity
The government has finalised all the formalities regarding the bill, seeking an amendment to the International Financial Organisation Order 1972. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund will enjoy legal immunity in Bangladesh once the parliament approves the bill. The bill was scheduled to be placed in the last session of the parliament. Sources said it could not be placed for time constraints. "The International Financial Organisations (Amendment) Act, 2004" is now likely to be placed before the parliament in its next session. Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman will put forward the bill for discussion. -New Age, September 21.

Jail Killing Case
A Dhaka court put off the verdict on the historic Jail Killing Case for a second time in two weeks, as it entertained a petition a lawyer filed in his last-ditch effort to save his client. The decision pushed into uncertainty the much-awaited verdict that was set to come about 29 years after the brutal assassination of four national leaders that still stirs up emotions among people. The verdict was rescheduled from September 7 to August 21, as Judge Motiur Rahman could not attend court because of his illness. The Court of Metropolitan Sessions Judge, withdrawing from delivering the verdict, brought the case back to trial-stage, setting in motion more protracted legal arguments. Amid beefed-up security, the court fixed September 29 for deposition of witness Saifuddin Ahmed, the then deputy superintendent of police and second investigation officer, upon the petition filed by ABM Sharfuddin Khan Mukul, lawyer for accused on-bail Taheruddin Thakur.

The court did not schedule any date for pronouncement of the judgement on the killing of the leaders who gave political leadership during the War of Independence. -Daily Star ,August 22.

The cabinet committee on land reforms has already proposed a 25-point recommendation to the government and the cabinet has approved the report. As a part of the process, four bills to amend the Bangladesh Registration Act 1908, the Specific Relief Act 1877, the Transfer of Property Act 1882 and the Limitation Act 1908 will be placed in the parliament. -New Age, September 13.

HR body during coalition tenure
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Moudud Ahmed said the government would set up a national human rights commission during its tenure. "We are pledge-bound to the people to set up a national human rights commission and we will do it as soon as possible," Moudud said at a press conference following a three-day International Conference on Institutional Protection of Human Rights in the capital. Pressed by newsmen later to give a specific timeframe, the minister said the commission will be formed before the tenure of this government is over. -Daily Star ,August 22.

Interpol experts may visit Dhaka again
Interpol may send experts to Bangladesh again to help probe into the August 21 grenade attack on the Awami League (AL) rally, if required. "If Interpol determines that its officers can provide further assistance to Bangladeshi authorities in the investigation, others may return to Bangladesh in the future," said an Interpol press release. Interpol experts, who left Dhaka on completion of initial investigation, will now conduct further analysis and evaluation of their findings. - Daily Star ,August 23.

HC rule on govt over Sylhet
The High Court ordered the government on Wednesday to produce Ranjit Sarker, an advocate of the Sylhet district bar who was arrested for suspected involvement in the bomb blast incident at Gulshan hotel of Sylhet, by Tuesday noon to prove that he had not been detained unlawfully. A vacation bench of Justice Md Awlad Ali and Justice AFM Abdur Rahman also stayed the remand of Ranjit, who is also a leader of Juba Dal, youth front of the ruling BNP, till disposal of the rule nisi, in which the court asked the government to explain the legality of his remand and detention. It further ordered that Ranjit could not be taken to any further remands in the case. The court came up with the order hearing a writ petition that challenged the remand of Ranjit. - New Age, 23.

Another elite anti-crime force
Another crime-busting elite force, the fourth in a row, has hit the road in plainclothes in a bid to contain widespread crime. The force, renamed Cheetah and originally dubbed as Panther, is now gathering intelligence about the hardened criminals. Home ministry sources said this new force will act like the other elite force, Rapid Action Battalion, with similar kinds of weapons and power by next week. But this force will act under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and will not have any members of the armed forces. A top police official said high-performing policemen who had received special anti-crime training from time to time have been cobbled under the elite team. The members will undergo more training in course of time. This undercover team will strike criminals and their lairs and will be equipped to face 'any kind of tough situation'. - Daily Star, September 24.

 









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