The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court yesterday awarded full custody of the much-talked-about seven babies, claimed by an ex-DIG of police couple as their septuplets, to Bangladesh Women Lawyers' Association (BNWLA) for their upkeep.

They are already under custody of the BNWLA's shelter home 'Proshanti' in the capital following an interim HC order regarding their doubtful parentage.

Delivering the judgment upon a public-interest litigation writ petition filed by BNWLA, a Division Bench comprising Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Farid Ahmed made absolute its rule issued two years ago.

The HC ruling came after taking cognizance of the August 12 DNA test that found no genetic similitude of septuplets in the unfortunate babies. On August 6, the HC, during hearing on the rule, asked Dhaka Medical College authorities to carry out the sibling test of the seven babies at its DNA Lab under the supervision of the Supreme Court authorities.

The BNWLA had moved the HC with a writ that sought custody of the seven infants, airing doubt about parenthood of the children and apprehending a racket for trafficking them out.

Since the emergence of the dispute, the couple has claimed that the seven children have been born to them as septuplets.

The children's 'mother', Anwara Rahman, is in jail for the last few months in an extortion case, while 'father' Anisur Rahman did not appear in the court.

In its ruling the High Court directed the BNWLA to maintain the seven babies with "utmost care", providing them with food, shelter, healthcare and education.

The HC observed that if the custodian of the babies, BNWLA, is unwilling to maintain them, it can seek review with the HC for redress.

The HC further observed that the disputed father, ex-DIG of police Anisur Rahman, is allowed to get the judgment reviewed after doing his DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) test of his paternity at DMCH Lab under the supervision of the Supreme Court.

Besides, the HC noted that the complaint case under the Prevention of Women and Children Repression Act pending with the designated court against the ex-DIG couple would go on in accordance with law.

On June 15, 2006, advocate Alena Khan, executive director of Bangladesh Society for Enforcement of Human Rights (BSEHR), filed the criminal case with Badda police station accusing them of confining the children' with an intention of trafficking'.

Reacting to the judgment, BNWLA president Advocate Fowzia Karim Firoze who moved the case told reporters that it was "landmark judgment".

She said the BNWLA, in compliance with the HC directive, would take "proper care for the babies until they grow up to 18 years".

Advocate Kazi Sajwar Hossain appeared for the ex-DIG, Anisur Rahman.