Dhaka – The High Court (HC) on Monday issued a rule asking the government to explain why the formation of a committee for scrutinising freedom fighter list should not be declared illegal.
It also asked to explain why the securitisation committee of freedom fighters and a directive issued by the National Freedom Fighters’ Council on the matter should not be declared illegal.In response to a writ petition, the HC bench comprising Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice JBM Hassan issued the rule.
Secretary to the Liberation War affairs ministry and the director general of Freedom Fighters Council have been made respondent to reply to the rule within two weeks.
The writ petition was filed by a group of freedom fighters challenging the notification issued by the government in January 12.
It was mentioned in the petition that the government’s gazette notification on freedom fighters is recognized as the final list. It can be only cancelled if investigations are initiated over specific allegations, it added.
Petitioners’ counsel Hasnat Kaiyum told reporters that the ministry formed the committees at every city, district and Upazila on January 11.
On December 10 last year, the National Freedom Fighters’ Council issued a directive on the matter.
Even the Freedom Fighters’ Council has no legal authority to scrutinise the freedom fighters included in the gazette. There is no law to scrutinise it by some other committee as well, Kaiyum added. – Staff Reporter
