HC happy with govt over Sagar-Runi murder

The government has played its role 'properly' in the investigation into the killings of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, the High Court observed in a rule on Tuesday. 

No error or negligence was seen in the investigation into the twin murders but some politicians have made 'irresponsible' remarks to 'obstruct' the inquiry, the court said while hearing a writ petition filed over law enforcers' failure to make any significant progress. 

The bench of justices A H M Shamsuddin Chowdhury and Jahangir Hossain directed police not to comment on the print and electronic media unless the investigation makes any specific progress. 

It ordered the information secretary to take steps within 24 hours to stop publishing 'flimsy' news on the issue. 

The bench issued a rule asking why an order should not be issued to figure out the motive behind the murders and bring the murderers to justice. 

The home secretary, information secretary, inspector general of police, director general of Rapid Action Battalion, Detective Branch deputy commissioner (south) and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station officer-in-charge. They were given two weeks. 

Source: bdnews24

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High Court seeks DB report on Rumana

he High Court on Tuesday asked Detective Branch of police to submit a report on investigation into the incident of torture on Dhaka University teacher Rumana Manzur by her ex-husband.

The DB police will submit the report to the court by November 13.

The file photo taken on June 20 shows Dhaka University teacher Rumana Manzur, whose eyes were badly marred by her husband.

The court also directed the DB police to make statement on the latest position of Rumana, who lost her eyes in a wild attack by her husband Sumon on June 5, in the investigation report.

Later, Rumana filed for divorce from Sunmon, who was arrested on July 15.

The HC bench of Justice Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and Justice MD Nuruzzaman passed today’s order after accepting a report submitted by the government saying that the case regarding the torture of Rumana has been handed over to the DB police.

Earlier on June 16, the court issued a suo moito rule asking three police officers – Assistant Commissioner (Dhamnodi Zone) Sharifur Rahman, Officer-in-charge of Dhanmondi Police Station Md Moniruzzaman, and investigation officer of the case Sub-inspector Mokbul Hossain – to submit the progress report on the investigation.

Source: The Daily Star

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HC issues rule on govt over Bangladeshis’ execution in KSA

Dhaka, Oct 12 (UNB) -The High Court has asked the government to form a high-powered committee to investigate the role of officials serving in the Bangladesh mission in Saudi Arabia whether they had taken effective steps to save the lives of the eight executed migrant workers.

Passing the interim order upon a public interest litigation (PIL) writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), an HC division bench comprising Justice Farid Ahmed and Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif asked the Secretaries to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment to submit a report on compliance in eight weeks.

On October 7, Saudi Arabia carried out their court order beheading in public the eight Bangladeshis for their involvement in a robbery and subsequent murder of an Egyptian security guard in Riyadh in 2007, according to press reports.

It also asked the Bangladesh Ambassador in Saudi Arabia to submit within four weeks a detailed report on the steps taken by the mission to save the lives of the executed Bangladeshis.

Despite government attorney’s objection, the High Court issued rule upon the government to explain why its ‘inaction’ to provide adequate support and legal assistance to save the lives of eight Bangladeshis beheaded on charges of robbery and murder should not be declared

illegal.

Besides, the HC asked the government to explain why direction should not be given to provide proper and legal assistance in all cases to the Bangladeshi citizens living abroad as and when required.

Opposing the petition, Deputy Attorney General Motahar Hossain Saju told the court that lawyers fought a legal battle for them at all levels. Bangladesh’s foreign and expatriates’ welfare ministries had repeatedly appealed to the Saudi authorities for clemency, the attorney said, adding that even President Zillur Rahman solicited pardon for the convicts from the Saudi king.

Advocate Manzill Murshid appeared for the HRPB.

Source: UNB

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