HC seeks explanation on decision delay

The High Court yesterday ordered the government to explain why it had not yet given a decision on whether a lower court should proceed with a case against 35 suspected men of banned Islamist outfit Hizb-ut Tahrir.
Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) filed the case under the Anti Terrorism Act 2009, which states that the trial court must take government permission before accepting charges in any case filed under the law.
Secretaries to the ministries of home and law have to explain to the HC in writing by June 18 why they have not yet given a decision over accepting the charges of the case.
The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury passed order while hearing a bail petition filed by three of the 35 alleged Hizb-ut Tahrir men in connection with the case.
It also granted bail for four months to the accused petitioners -- Sohan Hafiz, Abu Sufian and Abdul Jabbar in this case.
The HC sources said Rab on August 13, 2012 arrested the 35 alleged members of Hizb-ut Tahrir from a restaurant in the capital's Panthapath where they were holding a “secret meeting” and planning to commit “subversive activities”.
The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Dhaka, where the case is pending, on February 6 sought permission from the ministries of home and law to accept the charges against them but the ministries are yet to give approval.
Several other similar cases are pending with the HC, stated the HC sources.