Law minister defends prosecution

Law Minister Shafique Ahmed yesterday dismissed the notion that the prosecution has failed to prepare proper charge sheet against Ghulam Azam for committing crimes against humanity in 1971.
Responding to reporters' queries, Shafique said the court has jurisdiction to seek fresh investigation report for the convenience of the trial.
On Monday, the International Crimes Tribunal declined to take into cognisance the charges made against former Jamaat chief Ghulam Azam as the prosecution failed to prepare it 'properly'.
Shafique said if charge is properly prepared it would help both the court and lawyers in the trial process.
In reply to a question, the law minister said detailed investigation is needed against Ghulam Azam as he held meetings across the country during the Liberation War that had led to the occurrence of various criminal offences.
The tribunal in its Monday's orders said, “After perusing the formal charges, the investigation report along with relevant papers and documents appeared to have been prepared in a scattered way and those are not in form and set in order.”
However, the tribunal asked the prosecution to submit the formal charge afresh by January 5.