BNP seeks High Court order to investigate ‘false’ cases

A petition filed with the High Court has called for the formation of an independent commission to investigate ‘false’ cases stacked against the party’s supporters, activists and senior pro-BNP lawyers.

The appeal was filed by senior advocates Khandker Mahbub Hossain, Nitai Roy Chowdhury and Sanaullah Miah.

Khandker Mahbub is the BNP vice-chairman, Nitai Roy Chowdhury is a former BNP minister and Sanaullah Miah is the party’s law secretary.

The petition urges the court to issue a rule declaring the ‘false’ cases illegal. The petitioners also sought legal action against those filing such cases.

The home secretary, the inspector general of police, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner, the Detective Branch’s deputy commissioner (north zone) and the chiefs of the Ramna and Shahbag police stations are among the defendants named in the petition.

The petition also calls for the court to issue an order blocking the cases against the petitioners and other opposition activists. It also calls for the formation of an independent commission (including representatives from the UN Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Asian Human Rights Commission), while the rule is considered.

The petition also calls for the court to halt all investigations into cases against the petitioners while the rule is under consideration.

A wave of false cases had been filed against opposition activists in an attempt to create fear ahead of the election, Khandker Mahbub Hossain told the media after filing the petition.

The High Court bench of Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif and Justice Ahmed Sohel may hear the petition.

Dr Kamal Hossain and other senior advocates are expected to take part in the hearings.