DHAKA: The High Court Tuesday opened hearings on the writ petition lodged Monday challenging legality of the closure of the Daily Amar Desh newspaper, with the petitioner’s counsel calling the government action “illegal” and against press freedom.

An HC bench comprising justices Nazmul Ara Sultana and Sheikh Hassan Arif took up the writ hearings on one of the most-discussed cases of the present times.

Barrister Abdur Razzak participated in the hearing on behalf of petitioner Anwarul Nabi, the acting chairman of the Amar Desh Limited company.

Barrister Razzak said a petition was filed on March 1, 2009 with the High Court to change the publisher’s name. But the publication of the newspaper was shut down on June 1, 2010 after nine months.

“The initiative of shutting down the Daily Amar Desh’s publication is totally illegal. The constitution ensures the freedom of press but the government has shut down the daily in breach of the constitution,” he pleaded.

Additional Attorney-General MK Rahman said the petitioner could appeal first with the Deputy Commissioner. “But the direct appeal with HC is a violation of the law,” he added.

The hearing was adjourned till 2:00pm Wednesday.

BDST: 1750 HRS, June 8, 2010
JA/RT/MMA/MUA