Dhaka, Oct 8 (Just News): The Supreme Court today directed the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs to pay around Tk 100 crore to the owner of Moon cinema hall by December 8.
A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed the order during hearing a contempt petition.
At hearing, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said the finance ministry has agreed to pay Tk 100 crore to the owner of Moon Cinema through Ministry of Liberation War Affairs.
Then the Supreme Court asked the Liberation War Affairs Ministry to pay the money to the Moon Cinema Hall owner by December 8.
Delivering a verdict on the case against the constitution’s fifth amendment, the Supreme Court on May 11, 2011, directed Freedom Fighters’ Welfare Fund to return properties of Moon Cinema in three months.
As the order went unheeded, Maksudul filed a contempt of court petition with the Supreme Court in January 2013 against the authorities concerned of the government and Muktijodhha Kalyan Trust for not executing its verdict.
During hearing the petition, the SC in January 2017 directed Engr Zamilur Reza Chowdhury to assess the cost of properties of Moon Cinema Hall which has already been turned into a development structure.
Zamilur Reza Chowdhury submitted a report to the Supreme Court assessing the cost of the Moon Cinema Hall properties at around Tk 100 crore.
Also, on February 2, 2010 the Supreme Court in another verdict had upheld a High Court judgement that declared the fifth amendment of the constitution illegal, which meant that the government between August 15, 1975 and April 9, 1979 were in power without lawful authority.
The High Court had delivered its verdict on August 29, 2005 following a writ petition filed by Maksudul challenging the Martial Law regulation seven of 1977 issued to legalise all illegal acts of the Martial Law government, including acquiring the land of the then Moon Cinema Hall prior to that time.
(Justnews/ys/1310hr)
