HC awards seven babies' custody to BNWLA
Friday, 15 August 2008
The High Court Thursday awarded the full custody of the much-talked-about seven babies, claimed by an ex-DIG of police and his wife as their septuplets, to Bangladesh Women Lawyers' Association (BNWLA) for their upkeep, reports UNB.
They are already under custody of the BNWLA at its shelter home 'Proshanti' in the capital following an interim HC order regarding their doubtful parentage.
Delivering the judgment upon a public-interest litigation filed by BNWLA, a High Court Division bench comprising Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Farid Ahmed made absolute its rule issued two years ago.
The HC ruling came after taking cognizance of the August 12 DNA test that found no genetic similitude of septuplet in the unfortunate babies. On August 6, the HC, during hearing on the rule, asked Dhaka Medical College authorities to carry out the sibling test of the seven babies at its DNA Lab under the supervision of the Supreme Court authorities.
The BNWLA had moved the HC with a writ that sought custody of the seven babies, airing doubt about parenthood of the children and apprehending that they might be trafficked out.
Since the emergence of the dispute, the couple have claimed that the seven children have been born to them as septuplets.
The children's 'mother', Anwara Rahman, has been staying in jail for the last few months in an extortion case, while 'father' Anisur Rahman did not appear in court.
In its ruling the High Court directed the BNWLA to look after the seven babies with 'utmost care' providing them with food, shelter, healthcare and education.
They are already under custody of the BNWLA at its shelter home 'Proshanti' in the capital following an interim HC order regarding their doubtful parentage.
Delivering the judgment upon a public-interest litigation filed by BNWLA, a High Court Division bench comprising Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Farid Ahmed made absolute its rule issued two years ago.
The HC ruling came after taking cognizance of the August 12 DNA test that found no genetic similitude of septuplet in the unfortunate babies. On August 6, the HC, during hearing on the rule, asked Dhaka Medical College authorities to carry out the sibling test of the seven babies at its DNA Lab under the supervision of the Supreme Court authorities.
The BNWLA had moved the HC with a writ that sought custody of the seven babies, airing doubt about parenthood of the children and apprehending that they might be trafficked out.
Since the emergence of the dispute, the couple have claimed that the seven children have been born to them as septuplets.
The children's 'mother', Anwara Rahman, has been staying in jail for the last few months in an extortion case, while 'father' Anisur Rahman did not appear in court.
In its ruling the High Court directed the BNWLA to look after the seven babies with 'utmost care' providing them with food, shelter, healthcare and education.