Security forces have been put on high alert across Bangladesh following the Supreme Court's rejection of Jamaat leader Quader Molla's petition seeking a review of his death sentence, state minister for home has said.
Published : 12 Dec 2013, 03:25 PM
Minister Shamsul Hoque Tuku, however, offered did not comment on the execution of the verdict or the dismissal of the petition.
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the Jamaat leader’s appeal.
When asked about possible Jamaat violence in reaction to the court order, the minister, “I have held a meeting on the matter."
He refused to 'divulge' specifics but added that steps were being taken across the country to "keep law and order under control".
The International Crimes Tribunal-2 had sentenced Molla on Feb 5 to life in prison for his crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.
Upon an appeal from both sides — prosecution and defence — the Appellate Division raised that sentence to the maximum penalty on Sept 17.
The Supreme Court on Dec 5 published the full text of the verdict of Quader Molla’s death sentence.
Two days later on Dec 8, the International Crimes Tribunal issued Molla's death warrant and handed it to the prison authorities.
Molla was to be hanged a minute after midnight on Tuesday but his defence counsels managed to have it deferred through the chamber judge only hours before midnight.
The Appellate Division rejected the review petition after two sets of hearing on Wednesday and Thursday.
Jamaat activists went berserk on Tuesday night after news spread that Quader Molla would be hanged that midnight.
They attacked houses of ruling Awami League leaders and resorted to vandalism and arson across the country.
The party called a daylong shutdown on Wednesday, threatening to obliterate the Awami League if their leader was hanged.
Jamaat-backed lawyers raised similar slogans on Thursday while marching in a procession in the court compound after the Supreme Court ruling.
State Minister for Home Shamsul Hoque Tuku earlier held a meeting to review law and order affairs ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
He said all churches would be provided a security shield during the festival.
Tuku said police were taking action against those who attacked the ancestral homes of Supreme Court judge Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha and Chairman of the International Crimes Tribunal-1 Justice ATM Fazle Kabir.