[🇧🇩] The fate of big guns/beneficiaries of Awami League after the student revolution

[Saif]

Murder case: Tuku, Palak placed on seven-day remand

A Dhaka court today placed six people, including former deputy speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku and ex-state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, on a seven-day remand each in a case filed over the death of an 11-grader in the capital's Lalbagh area during the quota reform protests on July 18

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Murder case: Tuku, Palak placed on seven-day remand

Zunaid Ahmed Palak (Left) and Shamsul Haque Tuku. File photo

A Dhaka court today placed six people, including former deputy speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku and ex-state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, on a seven-day remand each in a case filed over the death of an 11-grader in the capital's Lalbagh area during the quota reform protests on July 18.

The other accused are former deputy sports minister Arif Khan Joy, Tanvir Hasan Shaikat, Dhaka University Chhatra League general secretary, Awami League organising secretary Ahmad Hossain and former Chattogram Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Arobia Khanam passed the order after Md Akkas Mia, a sub-inspector of Lalbagh Police Station and also the investigation officer of the case, produced them with a 10-day prayer for each of them.

In the remand prayer, the IO said involvement of the accused with the killing of Khalid Hasan Saifullah, the slain student, was found true primarily. They need to be remanded to find out others responsible for committing such offences.

While the defence submitted separate petitions, seeking bail along with the cancellation of the remand prayer on grounds that they were implicated in the case just to harass them.

Earlier in the day, Tuku, Palak and Shaikat were produced before another court on completion of their 10-day remand in the case filed with Paltan Police Station over the death of rickshaw-puller Kamal Mia in the city's Paltan area on July 19.

Arif Khan Joy was produced before another Dhaka court on the expiry of his five-day remand in the case filed over the death of grocery shop owner Abu Saeed in Dhaka's Mohammadpur on July 19.

And Ahmad Hossain and Sohail were produced before another Dhaka court on completion of their four-day remand in a case filed over the killing of a shop owner, Nabin Talukder, in Dhaka's Paltan on July 19.

On August 19, the victim's father, filed the case against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Anisul Huq, Salman F Rahman and 49 with Lalbagh Police Station.

The case document mentioned that Khalid Saifullah, a student of the Ideal School and College, participated in the anti-discrimination movement like other students.

On 18 July, law enforcement officers indiscriminately fired at the students with direct support from the accused, resulting in Khalid being fatally shot.

On 20 July, his body was identified in the hospital.

The plaintiff alleged that the officer-in-charge of the police station had been evasive about the case from the beginning, causing agitation among the students.

Kamrul Hasan said that the case was later accepted in the presence of the senior army officials around 2am on August 19.​

 

[Saif]

AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik and politicalisation of the judiciary

The appointment of a person with foreign nationality and his subsequent arrest highlights a troubling trend of judicial interference and manipulation

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AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik and politicalisation of the judiciary

VISUAL: ALIZA RAHMAN

The recent arrest of AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik, a retired judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in Bangladesh, has ignited a significant debate about the rule of law, constitutional adherence, and the overall integrity of the judiciary in Bangladesh. This arrest is not merely a personal predicament for the former judge but raises broader issues that have far-reaching consequences for the legal and political landscape of Bangladesh.

AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik has long been a contentious figure, both during his tenure as a judge and in his post-retirement activities. His public behaviour, often viewed as politically biased, and his vocal presence in the media has raised doubts about the impartiality of the judiciary in Bangladesh. His involvement in several high-profile cases, which many believe were skewed in favour of the then ruling party, has further damaged the judiciary's credibility.

The controversy surrounding Manik goes beyond his behaviour in and out of court. The circumstances of his appointment as a judge are equally problematic. Manik, who had a dual citizenship at the time, was appointed to the High Court Division in 2001 and later promoted to the Appellate Division in 2012 by Sheikh Hasina's government. The decision to appoint Manik was widely criticised and seen by many as a political manoeuvre to ensure a compliant judiciary that would align with the government's agenda.

Appointing a person with foreign nationality to the judiciary undermines the sovereignty and integrity of the legal system. It raises questions about the motivations behind such a decision, suggesting that judicial appointments were influenced more by political loyalty than by merit or adherence to the rule of law. This type of practice weakens the judiciary's role as an independent check on executive power, essential in a functioning democracy, and sets a dangerous precedent for future administrations.

Several factors likely influenced the decision to appoint Manik. The ruling party might have seen Manik as a loyalist who would provide favourable rulings to support its interests, thereby securing its legislative and executive actions from judicial challenges. It could have also allowed it to consolidate control over the judiciary and minimise the risk of adverse legal decisions. Finally, by installing a judge known for his partisan views and criticism of political opponents, the government could have aimed to supress dissent and weaken opposition forces.

The appointment of a person with foreign nationality and his subsequent arrest highlights a troubling trend of judicial interference and manipulation. This undermines the independence of the judiciary and weakens the system of checks and balances that is fundamental to democratic governance. The perception that the judiciary is compromised and lacks independence diminishes public trust in the legal system. When citizens view the judiciary as a tool of the ruling party rather than an impartial arbiter of justice, it leads to decreased respect for court rulings and a broader sense of disillusionment with the rule of law. The actions taken by the Sheikh Hasina government set a concerning precedent that future administrations might follow. If judicial appointments continue to be politicised, it could become increasingly difficult to restore judicial independence and uphold the rule of law.

The arrest of AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik and the controversies surrounding his past actions provide several critical lessons. Firstly, all branches of the government must strictly adhere to constitutional provisions. Violating these principles undermines democratic norms and can lead to authoritarianism. Judicial appointments should be based on merit and integrity, not political loyalty. Governments must be held accountable for actions that undermine democratic institutions. Civil society, the media, and international organisations must play a vital role in promoting transparency and accountability in governance. To prevent future abuses, it is crucial to establish a transparent and rigorous process for judicial appointments, involving multiple stakeholders, including the judiciary, legal professionals, and civil society.

As Bangladesh navigates this challenging period, it must take decisive steps to restore public confidence in its institutions and reaffirm its commitment to the rule of law. The future of Bangladesh's democracy depends on its ability to learn from these events and implement reforms that safeguard its constitutional principles and democratic values.

Dr Serajul I Bhuiyan is professor and former chair at the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications at Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia in the US and former president of Business and Applied Sciences Academy of North America (BAASANA).​

 

[Saif]

Hasina, Gen. Aziz sued over custodial death of BDR carnage accused

After recording the statement of the complainant, the court asked the local police station to inform whether any unnatural death case was filed after the death

en.prothomalo.com

Hasina, Gen. Aziz sued over custodial death of BDR carnage accused
BSSDhaka
Updated: 25 Aug 2024, 19: 12

Sheikh Hasina and general (retd) Aziz Ahmed BSS

Thirteen people, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former director general (DG) of Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) General Aziz Ahmed were sued Sunday over the death of BDR carnage case accused Abdur Rahim in jail.

Abdur Rahim, then deputy assistant director (DAD) of former BDR, which was later renamed as BGB, was an accused in the case lodged over the carnage that took place in Pilkhana in 2010. He died in jail on 29 July that year.

DAD Rahim’s son Advocate Abdul Aziz filed the case with the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Akteruzzaman.

After recording the statement of the complainant, the court asked the local police station to inform whether any unnatural death case was filed after the death.

The other prominent accused in the case are - Mosharraf Hossain Kazal, Ashraful Islam Khan, Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Sheikh Selim, Sheikh Helal, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Mirza Azam, Hasanul Haque Inu.

Another 200 unnamed people have also been accused in the case.​

 

[Saif]

Another case filed against retired justice Manik

Police last night filed a case against retired Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik for allegedly attempting to enter India illegally.

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Another case filed against retired justice Manik

Photo: Collected

Police last night filed a case against retired Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik for allegedly attempting to enter India illegally, according to Jahangir Hossain Sarder, officer-in-charge of Kanaighat Police Station.

The case, filed under the Bangladesh Passport Order 1973, was lodged by Pijush Chandra Singha, a sub-inspector at the same police station.

"BGB detained him at the border and was supposed to file the case, but they did not comply, so the police took action," said the OC.

Justice Shamsuddin Manik was detained by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Friday night while allegedly attempting to flee to India.

Following his detention, Manik was initially arrested under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and produced before a Sylhet Judicial Magistrate on Saturday evening.

The court ordered him to be sent to jail, but he was later admitted to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital due to critical injuries sustained during an attack on the court premises.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladeshi Hindus are fine. No need to poke your noses into our internal affairs. The Indian external intelligence agency, RAW, is fueling discontent among a section of the people of Bangladesh to destabilize the whole country. The Indian prime minister should stop RAW from creating unrest in Bangladesh.

Biden, Modi discuss situation in Bangladesh

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke to US President Joe Biden over the phone to discuss the situation in Bangladesh

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Biden, Modi discuss situation in Bangladesh

Photo: Reuters

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday (Monday) spoke to US President Joe Biden over the phone to discuss the situation in Bangladesh.

During the phone call initiated by Biden, "The two leaders expressed their shared concern over the situation in Bangladesh and emphasised the restoration of law and order and ensuring the safety of minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh," said a readout issued by the Indian Prime Minister's Office.

Besides Bangladesh, Modi and Biden had a detailed exchange of views about various regional and global issues, it added.

The two leaders reiterated their commitment to strengthen further the cooperation in multilateral fora, including the Quad and they agreed to remain in touch, according to the readout.

This was the first time Modi and Biden spoke to each other on the issue of Bangladesh since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina as prime minister.

Hasina resigned and escaped to India on August 5 in the face of weeks of street protests led by students.​