Freedom Fighters’ Insolvency: A matter of shame for state, says High Court

Observing that insolvency of freedom fighters is a matter of shame for the state and the allowance they are receiving is their right, not a token of charity, the High Court yesterday directed the government to include names of 208 freedom fighters in the official gazette and take necessary steps to provide them monthly allowance.

The court also asked the Liberation War affairs ministry to comply with the directives within 90 days of receiving the full text of the judgement.

The bench of Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury and Justice Ahmed Sohel delivered the verdict following eight separate writ petitions filed by 208 freedom fighters from four districts -- Chandpur, Magura, Kushtia and Pabna.

They filed the writ petitions in 2016, challenging legality of the government’s decision of refusing to include their names in the official gazette.

Deputy Attorney General Amit Dasgupta told The Daily Star that the selection committees concerned of the districts had recommended to include names of the 208 freedom fighters in the official gazette but the ministry rejected the selection committees’ recommendations.

Following the writ petitions, the HC in 2016 issued eight separate rules asking the government to explain as to why its failure to include names of the freedom fighters in the gazette notification should not be declared illegal.

After holding final hearing on the petitions, the HC bench delivered the verdict yesterday. Barrister Toufiq Inam appeared for the writ petitioners.