Govt decides to dump 121 cases
Thursday, 6 August 2009
The present government Wednesday decided to withdraw another big lot of 121 cases filed during the past BNP alliance rule and military-backed caretaker regime as it found the cases tinged with intent to "politically harass" the accused persons, reports UNB.
Briefing journalists after an inter-ministerial review committee meeting on disposal of politically motivated cases, State Minister for Law Advocate Quamrul Islam said the panel Wednesday examined a total of 308 cases referred by the district committees.
"Among the reviewed cases, pleas for withdrawing 41 were rejected while 146 decided to be discussed again in the next meeting," Advocate Quamrul said.
However, none of the opposition politicians did come into consideration this time for exoneration.
The scrapped cases include one of Awami League lawmakers and chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Undertakings Dr Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir and one of his wife, one of Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran, three of AL leaders Nur-e-Alam Liton, eight of Dr HBM Iqbal, one of Makbul Hossain, one of Advocate Rahmat Ullah, eight of Hazi Selim and two of Deputy Speaker Shawkat Ali.
Chaired by Advocate Quamrul Islam, the meeting was attended by Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder and senior officials concerned.
The government has so far decided to withdraw 365 of the cases, mostly filed during the massive anti-graft purge amid state of emergency following the 1/11 changeover.
"A total of 3,377 applications were submitted to the Home Ministry for approving withdrawal of such cases," the State Minister for Law told the journalists.
Replying to a question, he said no cases of opposition leaders and activists were considered for withdrawal as they were maintaining a serial. However, their cases were placed in the meeting.
Asked why the government was not withdrawing any case of prominent opposition leaders, including BNP chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the Minister said the genuine political harassment cases were being struck down after minute scrutiny.
About withdrawal of cases of the convicted persons, he said they had nothing to do in this regard. "Of course, the President can pardon them if he wishes," he added.
Briefing journalists after an inter-ministerial review committee meeting on disposal of politically motivated cases, State Minister for Law Advocate Quamrul Islam said the panel Wednesday examined a total of 308 cases referred by the district committees.
"Among the reviewed cases, pleas for withdrawing 41 were rejected while 146 decided to be discussed again in the next meeting," Advocate Quamrul said.
However, none of the opposition politicians did come into consideration this time for exoneration.
The scrapped cases include one of Awami League lawmakers and chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Undertakings Dr Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir and one of his wife, one of Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran, three of AL leaders Nur-e-Alam Liton, eight of Dr HBM Iqbal, one of Makbul Hossain, one of Advocate Rahmat Ullah, eight of Hazi Selim and two of Deputy Speaker Shawkat Ali.
Chaired by Advocate Quamrul Islam, the meeting was attended by Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder and senior officials concerned.
The government has so far decided to withdraw 365 of the cases, mostly filed during the massive anti-graft purge amid state of emergency following the 1/11 changeover.
"A total of 3,377 applications were submitted to the Home Ministry for approving withdrawal of such cases," the State Minister for Law told the journalists.
Replying to a question, he said no cases of opposition leaders and activists were considered for withdrawal as they were maintaining a serial. However, their cases were placed in the meeting.
Asked why the government was not withdrawing any case of prominent opposition leaders, including BNP chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the Minister said the genuine political harassment cases were being struck down after minute scrutiny.
About withdrawal of cases of the convicted persons, he said they had nothing to do in this regard. "Of course, the President can pardon them if he wishes," he added.