Terms extortion lawsuit under EPR illegal; govt goes to SC to challenge verdict

In a landmark judgment, the High Court (HC) yesterday (6 Feb) declared illegal the government move to bring a case against former premier Sheikh Hasina under Emergency Power Rules (EPR) and quashed it.

An HC division bench comprising Justice Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman and Justice Shahidul Islam yesterday finished delivering the judgment around 12:05pm. Part of the judgment was delivered on Tuesday upon completion of hearing on a rule.

Following Sheikh Hasina's writ petition filed on July 29 last year, HC bench of Justice Nayeem and Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury issued the rule on the caretaker government, asking it to reply why its approval for bringing the case under the EPR should not be declared illegal.

Sheikh Hasina's counsels said the judgment is not only their victory but also of the rule of law.