DHAKA
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Abdul Quader Mollah will not be executed as the Bangladesh Supreme Court adjourned the hearing on whether Mollah would be allowed to file a review petition challenging the verdict.
The Appellate division of Bangladesh's Supreme Court adjourned the hearing until 9.00 Thursday, December 12 hearing on the acceptability of the review petition filed by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant secretary general Abdul Quader Mollah against verdict of death penalty to him.
A full bench led by Chief Justice M. Mujammel Husain passed the adjournment order on Wednesday. Bangladesh Supreme Court has already directed the authorities concerned not to execute Mollah until further notice.
After about 15 minutes of second time hearing today, the appellate division said there is no need fresh order in this regard as the stay order on the execution of Quader Mollah will be effective until the review petition is resolved.
On Tuesday night, Chamber Judge of the Supreme Court Justice Syed Mahmud Husain stayed the operation of the execution order of Abdul Quader Mollah untill 10.30 am Wednesday following a defense counsel.
Mention that Thursday is the last working day of Appellate division of Bangladesh Supreme Court before winter vacation.
Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, Chief Law Officer of the country, said if the issue is not resolved the Thursday, the execution of the verdict might have to wait until the next year.
The Jamaat Leader Mollah was scheduled to be hanged last Tuesday midnight. But last night attempt by his lawyers chamber judge stay the execution until Wednesday which now stand till the further notice.
On July 13, 2010, Abdul Quader Mollah was arrested in an arson and murder case. International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) framed charges against Quader Mollah on May 28, 2012,
On February 5, 2013 ICT sentenced Quader Mollah to life prison for his involvement in crimes against humanity in 1971. The Supreme Court revised the life term to a death sentenced on September 17, 2013.
On December 8, ICT issued the death warrant against the Quader Mollah.
by Ferdous Ahmad Bhuiyan
