Detention of Tofail, Saleem Illegal: HC

The High Court yesterday declared illegal the detention of Awami League leader Tofail Ahmed and journalist Saleem Samad.

A division bench comprising Justice M A Aziz and Justice Mohammad Nazrul Islam Chowdhury declared illegal the detention of Tofail Ahmed, who was arrested on December 8, 2002. He was later put under detention.

Another division bench comprising Justice Mohammad Hamidul Haque and Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury declared the detention of Saleem Samad illegal.

Samad was arrested on November 29 in connection with a sedition case. He was put under detention on December 24.

Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud along with Advocate Yousuf Hossain Humayun appeared for Tofail Ahmed while Barrister Amirul Islam for Saleem Sadad.

Additional Attorney General Fida M Kamal, and Assistant Attorneys General Zaman Akhter Bulbul and Gias Uddin Mithu stood for the state.

Meanwhile, the detention of Mymensingh AL leader Principal Motiur Rahman was declared illegal yesterday by a division bench of the High Court comprising Justice Tafazzul Islam and Justice Anwarul Haque.

Motiur Rahman, president of the AL district unit, was arrested on December 9, 2002 in connection with cinema blasts in the town on December 7.

Advocate Abdul Matin Khasru appeared for Motiur Rahman.