Tarique should be sent abroad for treatment
August 8, 2008
Observes HC, rejects his petition for quashing bribery case
Staff Correspondent
The High Court (HC) yesterday observed that Tarique Rahman is seriously ill and should be sent abroad for treatment.
An HC bench made the observation after examining the medical reports of Tarique, elder son of the detained former premier Khaleda Zia.
The HC also rejected the petition filed by detained BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman for quashing the proceedings against him in the case of Tk 21-crore bribery following the murder of Humayun Kabir Sabbir, a director of Bashundhara Group.
The bench, comprised of Justice Sharifuddin Chaklader and Justice Md Emdadul Haque Azad, however, stayed the trial proceedings against Tarique in this case till August 12 and also permitted Tarique to file an appeal with the Supreme Court (SC) against the HC order and for bail in this case.
The court cited earlier examples where several accused — including Awami League President and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and the party Secretary General Abdul Jalil — were released on parole and Mohammad Nasim and Sigma Huda were granted bail in cases on health grounds.
“This is our observation. It is now the concern of the government whether they will carry out the observation as an order or not,” the court continued, saying that in developed countries the observation of the court is generally regarded as an order.
The HC earlier on August 4 directed Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) counsel advocate Anisul Huq to produce the medical reports of Tarique Rahman by August 7 for examination of those.
However Huq was not able to produce the medical reports in court yesterday, as he could not get hold of them from authorities concerned.
Tarique’s counsels barrister Rafiqul Islam Mia and barrister Mahbubuddin Khokon, however, submitted his medical reports to the HC bench.
Abul Kashem, deputy assistant director of the ACC, filed the bribery case with Ramna Police Station on October 4 last year, accusing six people including former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar. The ACC on May 6 pressed charges against Tarique Rahman, Lutfozzaman Babar and six others in the case.
The case is pending in the special court of Judge Shahed Noor Uddin set up on the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban premises.
Tarique Rahman filed the quashment petition with the HC on May 25. In the petition he also prayed for bail in the case against him.
Courtesy: The Daily Star
JS polls to be held under emergency
August 8, 2008
Adviser Iqbal says
Staff Correspondent
LGRD and Cooperatives Adviser Anwarul Iqbal yesterday said the parliamentary elections, stalled for about 18 months, would be held under the state of emergency.
“The polls will surely be held under the state of emergency,” he told journalists at the secretariat replying to a query whether the caretaker government intends to hold the national election under emergency.
He, however, hinted that if necessary, the Emergency Power Rules (EPR) might be relaxed.
Iqbal’s remarks came a day after the European Union (EU) parliament member Nirj Deva, who held talks with Awami League (AL) leaders on Wednesday, said the state of emergency in Bangladesh remains a matter of concern for them as the EU don’t send observers during elections in any country where the emergency is in force.
When asked to comment on the matter, the adviser said, “Since discussions between the EU and the Election Commission (EC) are going on, there won’t be any problem,” he told reporters.
The adviser said everyone in the country and abroad welcomed holding of the local government polls under emergency.
He said the government was willing to hold the elections under emergency from the beginning.
“It’s not a big matter who is saying what about this,” he said adding that none of the candidates in the just concluded local body polls complained about holding elections under the emergency.
“We also told the political parties during dialogue to come up with suggestions on further relaxation of emergency,” the adviser said.
But major political parties, including AL and BNP have been pressing for complete withdrawal of emergency before parliamentary elections scheduled to be held in the third week of December.
After Monday’s local body polls, the chief election commissioner and the advisers to the caretaker government has been hinting about holding the national elections under emergency.
Courtesy: The Daily Star
JCD president, BCL secy freed
August 8, 2008
DU Correspondent
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) President Azizul Bari Helal and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) General Secretary Mahfuzul Haider Chowdhury Roton were released yesterday following a three-day-long demonstration by the two student organisations.
Helal was released from Dhaka Central Jail at about 10:25am while Roton was freed from the prison cell of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital at about 4:05pm.
Plainclothes policemen arrested Helal from his residence in the capital on August 24 last year while army personnel detained Roton on the Dhaka University (DU) campus on January 16 last year The leaders and activists of both JCD and BCL had been staging demonstrations on the university campus for the last three days demanding the release of the two student leaders.
DU Vice Chancellor Prof SMA Faiz on Wednesday night assured the leaders of BCL and JCD that the government would release the two student leaders by yesterday night.
Roton was arrested twice soon after his release from the Mymensingh Jail on May 4 and on Tuesday while Helal was arrested again on December 13 last year after his release from the Dhaka Central Jail.
The High Court (HC) on August 4 granted Helal bail and asked the law enforcement agencies not to detain or harass him without any fresh arrest warrant.
Shortly after his release, Helal demanded immediate release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman and judicial investigation into the alleged torture on Tarique during remand.
“Any issue rather than their release is immaterial to us,” he told The Daily Star.
He also urged the party’s district unit leaders to strengthen the movement to free Khaleda and Tarique.
The JCD president also demanded immediate withdrawal of the state of emergency and holding of the parliamentary polls first.
Meanwhile, police in the morning produced BCL leader Roton before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court of Nazrul Islam Hawlader who ordered the authorities concerned to release him.
“I demand permanent release of our party chief Sheikh Hasina and withdrawal of the state of emergency immediately” Roton said after his release.
He also said the BCL would realise the demands through tougher programmes across the country soon.
The HC on July 29 declared Roton’s detention illegal following a writ petition filed by his father.
Meanwhile, police yesterday intercepted two processions of BCL and JCD on DU campus at 12:00noon when they were marching towards the home ministry separately to lay siege to it demanding the release of the two student leaders.
Courtesy: The Daily Star
Tac sets Sept 1 deadline for seeking mercy
August 8, 2008
Staff Correspondent
Individuals willing to confess to corruption or other crimes will have to apply for hearing to the Truth and Accountability Commission (Tac) by September 1, a government handout said yesterday.
The Truth and Accountability Commission (Tac) has started its functioning from August 3.
Earlier on July 30, the president appointed Justice Habibur Rahman Khan, a retired High Court judge, as the chairman of the Tac for a five-month term.
The president also appointed two members to the commission for the same period. They are Asif Ali, a former comptroller and auditor general, and Major Gen (retd) Manzur Rashid Khan.
Under the provisions of the Tac, the corrupt people will be allowed to appeal for mercy after voluntarily admitting to their past corruption and depositing their ill-gotten wealth to the state exchequer.
Parties slate RPO
August 8, 2008
Staff Correspondent
Political parties have largely criticised the Representation of People Ordinance (RPO) 2008 and some even called for scrapping the ordinance saying it was aimed at controlling political parties.
The Council of Advisers Wednesday approved the RPO.
Awami League (AL) acting President Zillur Rahman said a number of the conditions in the RPO were very tough and the no-vote option was absurd. The RPO bans political parties from having front organisations and it is objectionable, he said.
He also opposed the provision that elected mayors and councillors would have to quit their respective party posts.
“I think the RPO is heading towards depoliticisation as planned,” said AL acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam. He told The Daily Star that they would come up with their formal statement Saturday as they are yet to have a copy of the RPO.
Jatiya Party acting Chairman Anisul Islam Mahmud termed a number of the sections of the RPO anti-democratic including the no-vote option and the compulsory three-year membership in a party before a person is allowed to take part in elections.
BNP standing committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman termed the ordinance good for the politics in the country and said it would help bring a sound atmosphere in politics, establish a sustainable democracy and make a parliament effective and accountable.
He, however, said the no-vote and one-third party posts reserved for women were not practical provisions.
Criticising the RPO, Democratic Left Alliance (DLA) yesterday said, “This ordinance is a heinous conspiracy to control political parties.” It said the government is trying to survive by paralysing people’s power and political consciousness. It claimed that the government was trying to take away the political power from the people.
LDA demanded the government scraps the ordinance.
Bangladesher Biplobi Workers Party in a press statement said the RPO is undemocratic and contradictory to the spirit of the constitution.
In a joint statement the party’s president Khandker Ali Abbas and General Secretary Saiful Haq said neither the government nor the political parties have the right to decide on front organisation of political parties.
Rajshahi mayor-elect vows to probe Minu’s ‘graft’
August 8, 2008
Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi
Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) mayor-elect AHM Khairuzzaman Liton said when in office, he would investigate the widespread allegations of corruption by former RCC mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu, now behind the bars, and take action against his predecessor’s massive politically-motivated recruitment of RCC employees.
He said he has planned steps to free RCC from corruption, nepotism and politicisation and make it a development-oriented organisation with people’s participation.
“I am grateful to the people for electing me. I want to set a good example. But I am a human being, not an angel. If you see me somewhere surrounded by bad people, who appear to be my friends, or are party-men or even my relatives, please alert me as they can detach me from the people,” said Liton choking in emotion at a press conference held in the city yesterday.
“If anyone using my name wants to bribe, extort money or attempts to obtain a job or any kind of privileges, just have that person arrested or inform me and you will see me acting promptly,” he said.
Replying to questions on corruption in RCC, Liton said, “I will investigate previous anomalies and take tough actions if any corruption is found.”
A huge number of staff in RCC were employed “quite unnecessarily and just on political consideration or in exchange of bribes in the last 17 years.
“The excess RCC staffs have never been of any use apart from making political processions and meetings a success. I will prepare a list of such staffs and decide on actions against them. I do not mean to seize someone’s source of daily bread but I have no right to carry an unnecessary load that cost people money.”
“After taking oath, I will be the mayor of all citizens. Every citizen will have the right to speak to me directly. I will fix two days in a week to talk to the people with my prime emphasis on development,” he said.
Briefing newsmen about his development plan, Liton said, he would ensure people’s participation in development works for transparency and he would identify development schemes to be taken up by talking with the people and involving them in their implementation.
Liton said he had already identified around 12 wards out of the 30 in RCC as least developed wards.
Liton reiterated his pledge to create more employment scope. “I will look for local resources first and then persuade investors to set up industries in Rajshahi.
“Primarily, I will set up an industrial zone on around 200 bighas of land belonging to the RCC and distribute those on lease to interested industrialists with the condition of employing locals,” he said.
ACC orders reinvestigation into graft case against Khaleda
August 8, 2008
Barapukuria Coal-mine
ACC orders reinvestigation into graft case against Khaleda
Staff Correspondent
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday ordered re-investigation of the case involving Barapukuria coal mine operation contract as the investigation report submitted to the commission is not comprehensive.
ACC Assistant Director Shamsul Alam filed the case with Shahbagh Police Station on February 26 against detained BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and 15 others including 10 former ministers from BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami for graft in awarding Barapukuria coal mine operation contract to a Chinese company, causing a loss of over Tk 158.71 crore to the public exchequer.
The accused are M Saifur Rahman, Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, M Shamsul Islam, MK Anwar, barrister Aminul Haque, Altaf Hossain Choudhury, AKM Mosharraf Hossain, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid, Motiur Rahman Nizami, former acting secretary to energy and mineral resources Nazrul Islam, former Petrobangla chairman SR Osmani, former Petrobangla director Mainul Ahsan, former managing director of Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Ltd (BCMCL) Sirajul Islam and Hosaf Group Chairman Moazzem Hossain.
“We have appointed Deputy Director Abul Kashem Fakir as the investigation officer of the case as the investigation report submitted to the commission regarding the case was inappropriate,” ACC Director General (admin) Col Hanif Iqbal said during a routine press briefing at the ACC headquarters yesterday.
Sources in ACC say that the report was considered not comprehensive, as there were weaknesses in the report including the witnesses cited.
Fakir has replaced ACC Deputy Director Monirul Huq.
Charge Sheets
The ACC yesterday approved eight charge sheets to be submitted against 18 people including Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan (Shah Alam), detained Rajshahi City Mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu, former state minister Fazlur Rahman Patal on charges of concealing wealth information, amassing wealth by illegal means, bribery and deception.
In the approved charge sheet Shah Alam will be charged with concealing information about wealth worth over Tk 14.17 crore in the wealth statement submitted to the commission and amassing wealth worth over Tk 107.81 crore.
The charge sheet also includes Shah Alam’s wife Afroza Begum and their sons Shahdat Sobhan, Safayat Sobhan, Safian Sobhan and Sayem Sobhan. Wife and sons of Shah Alam will be charged for abetting him in concealing wealth information and amass wealth beyond known sources of income.
ACC Deputy Director Abdullah Al Zahid filed the case with Ramna police on December 9 accusing the Shah Alam family of amassing ill-gotten wealth worth about Tk 606 crore.
All the accused are on the run and are also accused in several other cases in connection with tax evasion and land grabbing.
Rajshahi City Mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu and his wife Salma Shahadat will be charged in another charge sheet for concealing information about wealth worth over Tk 1.02 crore and amassing wealth worth over Tk 3.08 crore beyond known sources of income.
M Monirul Haque, deputy director of Rajshahi ACC, filed the case against Minu and his wife with Boalia Model Police Station on November 11, 2007 for accumulating around Tk 2.27-crore illegal wealth and concealing around Tk 1.92 crore in his wealth statement.
Former state minister Fazlur Rahman Patal will be charged for concealing information about wealth worth Tk 2.2 lakh and amassing over Tk 87.63 lakh beyond known income sources.
In another charge sheet Dhaka City Corporation ward commissioner Mirza Khokon and his wife Masuda Ekram will be accused of concealing wealth information of Tk 29.32 lakh and amassing wealth worth over Tk 1.54 crore beyond known sources of income.
District forest officer Zafrul Hasan will be accused in another charge sheet on charges of concealing information about wealth worth over Tk 15.75 lakh and amassing wealth worth over Tk 97.68 lakh beyond known sources of income.
The other charge sheets will be submitted against the deputy manager (estate), Chittagong, Zillur Rahman, and managing director of EEC Bangla Knit Wears Ltd Palash Barua and two others and junior auditor of upazila accounts office, Jessore, Tariqul Islam on charges of concealing information about wealth worth over Tk 21.63 lakh, attempt to withdraw Tk 4 crore through deception and taking Tk 7,000 as bribe.
TAC
The ACC yesterday also confirmed that two people have applied through it to face the Truth and Accountability Commission (Tac) to disclose information voluntarily regarding their corruption and ill-gotten wealth.
“We have received applications from two persons who wanted to make voluntary disclosures about their ill-gotten wealth before the Truth and Accountability Commission,” said Col Hanif Iqbal at the briefing.
After confirming that the applicants are not politicians, Hanif, however, denied disclosing their identity saying that the Voluntary Disclosure of Information Ordinance, 2008 has the provision to keep information about an absolution seeker secret if he/she wants.
Accused ACC Officials
The ACC yesterday also handed over a list of 12 officials of the commission so far suspended temporarily or accused in cases or investigated by the commission on various charges including intimidation, bribery, misbehaviour, destruction of necessary papers from official documents and embezzlement.
Of the 12 ACC officials, case were filed against assistant inspector Nizam Uddin and Abdur Rahman, who were also suspended temporarily, on charges of intimidating people and realising bribe from them.
Five people against whom allegations were lodged have been served with notices. They are Harun-Or-Rashid Bhuiyan, constable-259, Abdul Motaleb Khandaker, Mir Reza Habibur Rahman, constable-212, deputy director Kamrul Ahsan, and assistant director Shamsul Alam charged with bribery, intimidating people, misbehaviour, and destruction of official documents.
Three ACC officials are under investigation on these charges and also embezzlement. They are office assistant Sayek Ahmed, Mizanur Rahman, constable-213, and Golam Rasul, constable-312. Investigation report has been submitted against assistant director Saif Mahmud. It has also been decided to file a case against Habibullah, a data-entry operator.
Trap Case
The ACC has decided to announce reward for trapping bribe-seekers red-handed following reports of various survey and allegations that a large number of officials at different offices take bribe in carrying out their duties.
Hanif said the decision has been taken to ease pressures of giving bribe from the shoulder of people while receiving due service.
The ACC has decided to strengthen its provision of filing trap case under rules 16 of ACC Act to catch people red-handed while taking bribe.
The commission will also go for media campaign to make people aware about its decision and send directions to its divisional offices.
Keane Bridge
August 8, 2008
People of Sylhet city have a place to unwind in the afternoon as the city corporation paved the bank of the Surma, which splits the city in two, under the Keane Bridge for its citizens. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain
Courtyesy: The Daily Star
219 Bangladeshi peacekeepers win UN medal
August 8, 2008
Bss, Dhaka
A total of 219 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have been awarded the United Nations (UN) medals in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in DR Congo (MONUC) General Babacat Gaye decorated the peacekeepers with medals at a function on July 30, said a UNIC press release in Dhaka yesterday.
Interim Commander of MONUC’s Eastern Division General Farukh Bashir, Director of MONUC’s Regional Office in Ituri Madam Olamide Adedej, and local Congolese authorities attended the colourful ceremony.
Group Captain Mohammad Harunur Rashid, commander of the Bangladeshi Aviation Unit (BANAIR-5) based in Bunia, thanked the MONUC force commander, military and civilian guests from the United Nations as well as the Congolese authorities for their presence at the ceremony.
Rashid said despite many challenges facing the peacekeepers, the ‘Blue Helmets’ from Bangladesh Air Force have never hesitated to perform their duties.”
General Gaye appreciated the professionalism and dedication of Bangladesh Air Force, which has rendered services in various UN peacekeeping missions.
He said MONUC’s aviation unit–from Bangladesh and other countries–have carried out 1,500 flight hours without any major accident. Besides, BANAIR-5 carried out rapid repair of three seriously damaged helicopters.
General Gaye said all components of Bangladesh Air Force have worked very well in their respective fields. “It is their professional integrity, their dedication, their care and commitment for which they deserve the cheers and the recognition of MONUC and the Congolese authorities.”
Our Staff Correspondent adds: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nur Mohammad left for East Timor last night to attend a function where UN Peace Mission medals will be awarded to 193 members of Bangladesh Police.
The IGP left for Dili, the capital of East Timor, at 11:55pm by a Singapore Airlines flight, according to a press release.
A total of 1,062 policemen have been working in seven UN peacekeeping missions. Of them, 193 are working in East Timor, 160 in Kosovo, 250 in Congo, 24 in Sudan, 165 in Darfur, 17 in Liberia and 253 in Ivory Coast, the press release said.
2 gunned down in city
August 8, 2008
Staff Correspondent
Two people were gunned down and another was injured in two separate incidents in Dhaka yesterday.
The deceased are Asaduzzamn Rajib, 28, and an unidentified person aged around 22. The injured was identified as Taijuddin, 32, a timber trader.
Family members of Rajib told newsmen that Rajib was going to Bagicha from his home on Rajony Chowdhury Lane at Gandaria when three to four men ambushed him on Akkhoy Das Lane in Sutrapur. They shot him and fled the scene firing bullets indiscriminately when Taijuddin got shot in his left hand.
Locals rushed Rajib to Dhaka Medical College Hospital but doctors on duty there declared him dead.
Early yesterday unidentified assailants shot a young man at Badda killing him on the spot. Locals said they found the body after hearing a gunshot.