Sheikh Selim's detention held illegal
Friday, 27 July 2007
The High Court (HC) Thursday declared illegal the detention of former Health Minister and Awami League (AL) stalwart Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, held during a crackdown on politicians at the outset of the current army-led operation against serious crime and corruption, report agencies.
Delivering the verdict upon a habeas corpus petition filed by his son challenging the detention under the Special Powers Act (SPA), an HC bench comprising Justice ABM Khairul Haque and Syed M Ziaul Karim ordered the government to set the detenu free, if not wanted in any other criminal case.
Police sources said notwithstanding the HC orders, his release from jail wouldn't be possible as he has already been chargesheeted in an extortion case filed under the emergency power rules along with ex-Prime Minister and AL president Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana.
On May 28, army-led joint forces arrested AL presidium member Selim from his Banani residence. He was produced before the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's (CMM) Court on May 30, and the court later placed him on a three-day remand.
Delivering the verdict upon a habeas corpus petition filed by his son challenging the detention under the Special Powers Act (SPA), an HC bench comprising Justice ABM Khairul Haque and Syed M Ziaul Karim ordered the government to set the detenu free, if not wanted in any other criminal case.
Police sources said notwithstanding the HC orders, his release from jail wouldn't be possible as he has already been chargesheeted in an extortion case filed under the emergency power rules along with ex-Prime Minister and AL president Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana.
On May 28, army-led joint forces arrested AL presidium member Selim from his Banani residence. He was produced before the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's (CMM) Court on May 30, and the court later placed him on a three-day remand.