The Cabinet today cleared the draft of “Evidence (Amendment) Act, 2022” incorporating a provision of taking prior permission from the court in case of asking any question regarding the character of victims.
The approval came at the regular Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who joined it virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban.
The Cabinet members and officials concerned were at the meeting room of the Cabinet Division in Bangladesh Secretariat.
Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam, after the meeting at a briefing, said “some amendments were brought in the draft law as the digital court has been recognized.”
Mentioning that there is a tendency to question about the character of victims by the opponent side, he said “In the draft law, there is a restriction on it. Prior permission will have to be taken from the court to raise questions over the character of anyone in straightway.”
According to the proposed law, digital records will be accepted as evidence, he said, adding that data alongside information can also be used.
The authorities concerned asked to make the law (The Evidence Act, 1872) as a Bangla version one immediately, he said.
Besides, the Cabinet in principle approved the draft of Village Court (Amendment) Act, 2022 changing the provision to dispose of a case within 15 days instead of 30 days as well as incorporating the word “child” in place of “Nabalok” (minor child).
As per the draft law, no child can be produced before the village court and the child will be defined as per the Children Act, he said.
The Cabinet Secretary said the court can raise the maximum compensation of Taka 300,000, which was Taka 75,000 in the Children Act, 2013.
The Cabinet also cleared the draft of Marine Fishing Guideline, 2022.
In this time, the cabinet directed the Fisheries Department to mark the marine fishing vessels with specific colour and number within four months as it would take time to bring all the vessels under the registration process.
Khandker Anwarul Islam said the number of marine fishing vessels might be more than 10,000.
The Cabinet gave the final approval to Bangladesh Art-Design Act, 2022 aiming to protect the intellectual properties.
The properties that go against ethics, public order and welfare of the people would not get the protection under the law, he said, adding that unregistered arts or designs would not get protection as well.
The meeting also cleared the draft bilateral agreement over flight operation between Bangladesh and Rwanda.
In the time, the Cabinet asked the authorities concerned to assess the economic aspects further before signing the agreement.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)