Dhaka, May 16 (bdnews24.com)—The Supreme Court has confirmed the High Court verdict that had declared illegal the Truth and Accountability Commission.
A seven-strong bench of the Appellate Division, headed by chief justice A B M Khairul Haque, dismissed on Monday an appeal challenging the High Court order.
The petitioners' lawyer Asaduzzaman told journalists as the highest appeals court upheld the High Court judgement, the Anti-Corruption Commission could now act against those who had been given impunity by the illegal Truth Commission.
The Truth Commission was formed on July 3, 2008 through a presidential ordinance to exempt on condition convicts sentenced to less than two years.
On Aug 25 the same year, Supreme Court lawyer Adilur Rahman Khan Shuvro, 'Unnayan Bikalpa Nitinirdharoni Gabeshonagar' executive director Farida Akter, Awami League's then women affairs secretary Dipu Moni and then acting director of rights body Adhikar Nasiruddin Allan filed challenged the commission's legality at the High Court.
The High Court on Nov 13 the same year declared the commission illegal, a verdict stayed by the chamber judge of the Supreme Court on Nov 16 following an appeal by the then caretaker government.
Later, three people, including Manjur Ahmed, an engineer of the Roads and Highways Department, who were exempted by the commission from corruption charges, appealed against the High Court verdict.
Ajmalul Hossain argued for the petitioners.
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