DHAKA: The High Court sharply acted setting Wednesday for hearing on a petition filed for canceling the ongoing remand of Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami, Secretary-General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid and Nayab-e Ameer Delwar Hossain Sayedee.

A High Court bench comprising Justice Dostogir Hossain and Justice AKM Jahirul Haque fixed 2pm Wednesday as the time for the hearing after taking into cognizance the petition moved by Barrister Abdur Razzak.

The court also directed the government authorities concerned not to take the top Jamaat leaders on remand frequently or for more than three days.

In issuing further edicts the HC bench asked for checking their health conditions before and after the remand and treating the accused decently.

Later, Barrister Abdur Razzak told journalists on the court premises that the government introduced “new culture of taking top leaders on remand”.

Terming the culture a ‘dark chapter of the history’, he said, “All should remember that no government is the last government. The directions on remand should be followed for everyone’s good.”   

The three top leaders of the party were placed on a total of 16 days` remand in five cases a day after they were arrested on June 29 on charge of hurting Muslim religious sentiments.

BDST 1704 HRS, JULY 13, 2010