The High Court has commented that it is a matter of shame for the state for freedom fighters to remain insolvent and the government allowance they get is their right and not charity.
The bench of justices Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury and Ahmed Sohel made the remarks on Tuesday (Dec 3) while delivering verdict on a writ filed on behalf of the freedom fighters.
Barrister Toufiq Enam Tipu moved for the petitioners while Deputy Attorney General Amit Das Gupta stood for the state.
“The list of the freedom fighters should be published after scrutinizing the facts properly. If any listed freedom fighter needs to be excluded then necessary steps should be followed,” Gupta told Bangla Tribune.
The court directed to hear the statements of the excluded members after sending them notices. Besides the court also ordered to enlist 208 freedom fighters who filed the writ within 90 days.
In 2014, a list was sent to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs enlisting freedom fighter.
After scrutinizing the list, the ministry excluded 208 names in 2016. The freedom fighters filed a writ plea challenging the ministry’s decision to the High Court.