SC upholds status of 196 freedom fighters
The Supreme Court yesterday upheld the High Court orders that stayed the government decision for cancelling freedom fighter status of 196 retired members of army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Bangladesh Air Force (BAF), and also directed the government to give them benefits as freedom fighters.
A five-member bench of the SC's Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain dismissed five appeals filed by the government, challenging the HC orders.
Lawyers Ahsanul Karim, Sabrina Jerin and Abdul Qaium appeared for the freedom fighters while Additional Attorney General SK Md Morshed represented the state during the virtual hearing.
Following the five petitions, the HC on September 21 last year stayed the government decision of cancelling the freedom fighter status of 196 retired members of Army, BGB and BAF, and also directed the government to give them benefits as freedom fighters.
On June 7 last year, the Liberation War affairs ministry issued two gazette notification cancelling freedom fighter status of 1,134 retired BGB personnel and 47 retired BAF personnel, including the 196 petitioners, on charge of obtaining the status by placing forged documents.
Petitioners' lawyer Abdul Qaium told The Daily Star that the government had taken the decision without giving his clients any scope to defend themselves.
They had been included in the gazette notifications of the list of freedom fighters after scrutinising their relevant documents and papers, the lawyer added.
The move was reportedly taken following Jatiya Muktijoddha Council's 66th meeting held on December 10, 2019.
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