Charge-sheeted accused under ICT Act cannot be public representatives, hold govt jobs

NN ONLINE:

According to a newly added section to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Act, any charge-sheeted accused under the act will lose eligibility to be elected or remain as a Member of Parliament (MP), contest or hold positions in local government bodies and secure a government job.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam disclosed this at a press briefing held at the Foreign Service Academy in the city today.

“A new Section- 23- has been incorporated into the International Crimes Tribunal Act, 1973. According to the new provision, once a formal charge is famed against any person under Section 9(1) of the ICT Act, that individual shall be disqualified to remain or be elected as a Member of Parliament (MP),” he said.

Similarly, the person shall be disqualified for being elected or for holding office as a member, commissioner, chairman, mayor or administrator in any local government council or institution, the press secretary added.

The charge-sheeted accused person will also be ineligible for being appointed to the government services or for holding any other public office.

The Advisory Council at its 41st meeting today gave the final approval to the draft of the ‘International Crimes (Tribunals) (Third Amendment) Ordinance, 2025’ that incorporated the new section.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus chaired the meeting at the Chief Adviser’s Office (CAO) in the city’s Tejgaon area.