The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Supreme Court pronounces its crucial judgment today on government appeal challenging a year-old High Court ruling that it has the jurisdiction to dispose of petitions by persons seeking bail in criminal cases under the stringent Emergency Power Rules (EPR) 2007.

On April 22 last year, a High Court division bench comprising Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury and Justice SM Emdadul Huq in its verdict had affirmed that it has the locus standi to dispose of petition by any person seeking bail in the EPR cases.

The HC verdict came following an application by an oil trader of Khulna, Maijuddin Sikder, on March 29 last year seeking bail in a case, filed under the EPR, concerning supply of adulterated oil. On the night of March 21 last year, the government issued a gazette notification relating to bail under the EPR with retrospective effect since February 13.