Vagabonds: Hapless and helpless, not criminals

ACCORDING to a government report, the number of street children in Dhaka was about 25,000 in 2004. Statistics show that the total number of beggars all over the country is about 900,000. Among them, 100,000 live in Dhaka and 4,000-6,000 are with disability. To rehabilitate these vagrant people, there is a law — the Rehabilitation of Vagabonds Act 1943. As per the definition given by this law, a vagabond is a person who begs at an open place or by looking him/her it would arise in mind that he/she may run his/her life by begging. Yet, the literal meaning of vagabond indicates a person who has the capacity to work but is not doing so. It further includes a person who has no specific place of residence.

Thus, above mentioned definitions of a vagabond appear contradictory to the right to life and freedom of movement, which are guaranteed as fundamental rights by our constitution. It threatens the right to life and freedom of movement of the helpless citizens. Each citizen has the right to move anywhere without anyone’s permission within the territory of Bangladesh. The law’s main victims are persons with physical disability (the differently able persons). In these circumstances, enacting a law to prevent this type of activities would rather conceal the real socioeconomic scenario of Bangladesh.

For the rehabilitation of vagabonds, the government has already established six rehabilitation centres and for socially deprived women, it has also established six training and rehabilitation centres. Vagrant shelter homes are in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur, Manikganj and Mymensingh and training and rehabilitation centres in Bogra, Brahmanbaria, Faridpur, Kushtia, Barisal and Sylhet. The total capacity of these shelter and rehabilitation centres is 2,400. On December 31, 2006, there were 1,480 detainees at these centres.

By the abuse of the law, these helpless people are kept imprisoned at these centres and treated as criminals. The state is constitutionally responsible to meet the basic needs of the underprivileged citizens. The detainees face a lot of repression. Even the food and the living space allotted to them are not adequate. They also have no scope to visit their family. They do not get legal aid from these shelter centres. Consequently, they feel depressed, helpless and vulnerable.

There are allegations of physical, mental and even sexual torture against these shelter centres. Allegation has been raised that a group of staff along with some external agents arrested women to involve them in prostitution. The residents of these shelter centres are barred from getting legal aids. The magistrate concerned allegedly does not attend the session to hear the detainees.

Of the detainees, 80 per cent are less than 18 years old and yet receive no right provided under the Child Right Act, 1974. Sometimes garment workers, hawkers and domestic labours are forcibly kept at these centres. The only means to find the address of the arrested vagabonds is postal letter. If the letter is undelivered, then there is no alternative to identify his/her address. Then they are declared vagabonds and detained indefinitely. The police personnel who arrested them may not provide ample information about their address. Again, the police have no clear idea about the characteristics or definition of a vagabond.

The 1943 law on vagabond has the following loopholes:

*    In Children Act, the age of children is determined at below 16, whereas in the Vagabond Act it is 14.

*   There is no specified time period of imprisonment.

*   An arrested adult person has no opportunity to become free by self bond.

*   This law has a provision that the property of the vagabond will be used for the benefit of other vagabonds.

*   The purpose of this law is to rehabilitate and not to arrest as criminals. Yet the police have the authority to arrest perceived vagabonds. It indicates that poverty is curse for them.

*   According to the provision of this law, rejecting an offer of job from the home is an offence, which is contradictory to the principle of right to choose profession.

*   The following recommendations may be followed to address these limitations:

*   Determining proper definition of ‘vagabond’ and arranging proper rehabilitation for them.

*   Not treating beggars as vagabonds.

*  Not arresting sexual workers/addicted men/children in the name of vagabond law.

*    Giving power to social welfare officers instead of the police to send vagabonds to centres.

*  Determining a particular time period to detain them at the shelter centre.

*    Depositing any kind of property of the arrested person to the caretaker of the shelter centre.

*   Allowing adult vagabonds to arrange for bond to get out.

The government recently took initiative to amend the law, but the anticipated amendments do not reflect all these recommendations. Rather they define vagabond in such a manner where suspicious person or persons can fall under the category. That is why the opportunity of abusing this law may increase. Vagabonds ought to be treated as vulnerable people and not as criminals. That’s why involvement of a social welfare officer is more desirable than a police. However, this new law retains the authority of the police to arrest. Again, no specific time period of detention is determined, which is a complete violation of one’s right of free movement. There is no opportunity to get self bond for an adult person. The provision of forced work under the centre, an infringement of a person’s right to choose profession, has been reinserted.

Key objective of the vagabond act ought to be the welfare of the underprivileged community. It should not treat them as criminals. Nevertheless, both the act of 1943 and draft law of 2010 utterly fail to meet that expectation. Hopefully, the government will enact laws for the betterment of the members of the disadvantageous community and protect their legal rights.

Published in the New Age as op-ed on 22-04-2011

How to become a Barrister from an Advocate within six months by doing Bar Transfer Test (BTT)

ব্যারিস্টার হওয়ার জন্য সবচেয়ে সহজ পদ্ধতি যুক্তরাজ্য/ইংল্যান্ডের (United Kingdom) The General Council of the Bar (যারা সেখানকার আইনজীবীদের নিয়ন্ত্রণ করে থাকে, অনেকটা Bangladesh Bar Council’র মতো) ২০১৩ সাল থেকে চালু করেছে এবং ইতোমধ্যে এ বছর এ পদ্ধতিতে দুটি পরীক্ষা (এপ্রিল ও সেপ্টেম্বর মাসে) সম্পন্ন হয়েছে এবং বাংলাদেশ থেকে এভাবে পরীক্ষা দিয়ে কেউ কেউ ব্যারিস্টারও হয়েছেন। 

         

          ২০১৩ সালের পূর্বে ব্যারিস্টার হতে চাইলে প্রথমেই UK’র কোন শিক্ষা প্রতিষ্ঠান থেকে আইনের ওপর স্নাতক ডিগ্রী (অর্থাৎ UK-LLB Degree) অর্জন করতে হতো এবং তারপর BPTC কোর্স শেষ করে Call to the Bar পাওয়ার পরই কেবল Barrister-At-Law/Bar At Law ডিগ্রী অর্জন করা যেত।  যা সম্পন্ন করতে কমপক্ষে ৩/৪ বছর সময় লাগতো, প্রচুর টাকা লাগতো (এমনকি বাংলাদেশে external system-এ পড়ে LLB শেষ করলেও) এবং বাংলাদেশ থেকে LLB (Hons)/(Pass) কোর্স সম্পন্ন করে আইনজীবী হিসেবে পেশা শুরু করলেও পুনরায় UK-LLB করা লাগতো।

          কিন্তু বর্তমান পদ্ধতিতে আইনজীবী হিসেবে নিম্ন আদালতে/জেলা জজ কোর্টে তালিকাভুক্ত হলে (তালিকাভুক্তির মেয়াদ যাই হোক না কেন) ছয় মাসের মধ্যে ব্যারিস্টার হওয়া সম্ভব। অনেকে অবশ্য মনে করেন এর জন্য কমপক্ষে তিন বছর আইনজীবী হিসেবে practice করার প্রয়োজন আছে বা বাংলাদেশ বার কাউন্সিল থেকে আইনজীবীর সনদ অর্জন করার তিন বছর পর এভাবে ব্যারিস্টার হওয়ার জন্য আবেদন করা যাবে। আসলে এখানে সময়সীমা কোন বিষয় নয়, কেবল আইনজীবী/Advocate হিসেবে বার কাউন্সিলের সনদ থাকলেই চলবে, এমনকি যারা জাতীয় বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় (National University) বা কোন Private University থেকে দুই বছরের LLB (Pass) course করে Lawyer হয়েছেন তারাও এভাবে ব্যারিস্টার হতে পারবেন। অর্থাৎ যারা সর্বশেষ ২০১৩ সালে Advocate হিসেবে enrolled হয়েছেন তারাও আবেদন করতে পারবেন।

মূলত UK’র Bar Standards Board’র (যারা Barrister দের নিয়ন্ত্রণ করে থাকে) অধীনস্থ Qualifications Committee এ পদ্ধতির অধীনে কেউ আবেদন করে থাকলে তাকে Approval (অনুমোদন) দিয়ে থাকে। এ পদ্ধতিকে বলা হয় Bar Transfer Test বা সংক্ষেপে BTT। অর্থাৎ আপনি আপনার দেশের Bar (যে Bar-এ আপনি Practice করেন) পরিবর্তন করে England’র Bar-এর member হয়ে সেখানে practice করতে চান, সে জন্য England এ সুযোগ দিচ্ছে, যদিও ব্যারিস্টার হওয়ার পর আপনি আপনার নিজ দেশে ফিরে Barrister হিসেবে Practice করতে পারবেন। Commonwealth Country ভুক্ত যেকোন দেশের (বাংলাদেশ অন্যতম Commonwealth Country) আইনজীবী Qualified Foreign Lawyer হিসেবে এভাবে ব্যারিস্টার হতে পারেন। এ পদ্ধতিতে Qualified Foreign Lawyer হিসেবে আবেদন করলে Qualifications Committee, Barrister হবার জন্য Applicant-কে তার আইনজীবী হিসেবে যোগ্যতার উপর ভিত্তি করে (এখানে মূল বিবেচ্য বিষয় আইনজীবী হিসেবে আপনার অভিজ্ঞতা ও দক্ষতা, Academic Result নয়, এমনকি আপনার UK-LLB অর্থাৎ University of London বা Northumbia University থেকে এলএল.বি করা থাকলে তা  Qualifications Committee বিবেচনায় নিতে পারে, তবে exemption পাবার জন্য আপনার Practice’র অভিজ্ঞতা ও দক্ষতায় মূল বিবেচ্য বিষয়) Academic (অর্থাৎ UK-LLB), Vocational & Professional Stage (অর্থাৎ Pupilage, যা বাংলাদেশে Practice করার জন্য প্রয়োজন হয়না) থেকে ছাড় (Exemption) দিতে পারে, মানে এগুলো করা লাগবেনা, তবে আপনাকে BTT পাস করতে হবে। তবে কোন IELTS score লাগেনা। Qualifications Committee’র কাছে আবেদন পাঠানোর সময় Application Fee হিসেবে ৪৪০ পাউন্ড পাঠাতে হয়। Qualifications Committee’র অনুমোদন পাওয়ার পরবর্তী ২ বছরের মধ্যে যেকোন সময় UK  যেয়ে পরীক্ষা দিয়ে আসা যায়। একবার পরীক্ষায় অংশ নিয়ে কোন বিষয়ে খারাপ করলে immediate পরেরবার সে বিষয়ে পরীক্ষা দিয়ে পাস করলেও চলে।

Exemption না পেলে ৫টি Section-ই পরীক্ষা দিতে হবে এবং এ পরীক্ষা নিবে England’র BPP University। তাই পরীক্ষা দেয়ার জন্য অবশ্যই England-এ যেতে হবে। মূলত পরীক্ষা হয় দুই সপ্তাহ ধরে এবং পরীক্ষার আগে BPP University’র অধীনে ১৫ দিনের Advocacy class করা লাগে, যার খরচ পড়ে ৭৫০ পাউন্ড। এর বাইরে Barrister হবার জন্য England’র চার Inn’র যথাঃ Lincoln’s Inn, Middle Temple, Inner Temple & Gray’s Inn’র যেকোন একটির member হয়ে Call to the Bar -এ অংশ নিতে হয় এবং মাত্র ৬টি Dinner করতে হয় (যেখানে BPTC করলে ১২টি Dinner করতে হয়)। Inn’র member হতে খরচ পড়ে ১০০ পাউন্ড এবং Call to the Bar’র জন্য খরচ ১২০ পাউন্ড। এছাড়া প্রত্যেক Dinner’র জন্য ২০ পাউন্ডের মতো খরচ হবে। মজার ব্যাপার হলো Qualifications Committee থেকে অনুমোদন পাওয়ার পরই Inn’র সদস্য হওয়া যায় এবং Barristerদের মতো Visiting Card-এ Member, Honourable Society of the Lincoln’s Inn/Middle Temple/Inner Temple/Gray’s Inn লেখা যায়। সদস্য হওয়ার জন্য BTT পরীক্ষায় পাস করা লাগেনা। তবে সদস্য হবার পরবর্তী ৩ বছরের মধ্যে  Call to the Bar পেতে হয়। সমস্ত প্রক্রিয়া UK-তে শেষ হতে দুই মাসের বেশি লাগার কথা নয়। অর্থাৎ দেশে পরীক্ষার প্রস্তুতি নিয়ে দু’ মাস London থেকে এখন Barrister হওয়া সম্ভব।

বাংলাদেশ থেকে যারা Application করছেন তারা সাধারণত প্রথম দু’টি section-এ exemption পাচ্ছেন। Section ৫টি হলোঃ

Section	Course Title	Evaluation	Answer	Duration	Pass	Fees GPB
1. a)	Contract & Trust	Written	2 Ques.	3 Hour	40%	200
b)	Tort & Crimes	Written	2 Ques.	3 Hour	40%	200
2. a)	Land & Legal System	Written	5 Ques.	3 Hour	40%	150
b)	Public, Admin. & EU	Written	5 Ques.	3 Hour	40%	150
3.	CPC, CrPC & Evidence	MCQ	80	2 Hour	65%	250
4.	Professional Conduct & Ethics	Oral	Interview	30 Min	60%	250
5. a)	Application	Oral	1 Submission	12 Min	60%	150
b)	Witness Handling	Oral	1 Witness Handling	12 Min	60%	150

          তাই প্রথম দু’টি সেকশন অর্থাৎ Academic Stage-এ (যা UK-LBB করার সময় পড়তে হয়) ছাড় পেলে কেবলমাত্র ৩, ৪ ও ৫ নম্বর সেকশন পরীক্ষায় পাস করে এবং যেকোন একটি Inn’র member হয়ে Call to the Bar পেয়ে ৬টি Dinner (যা Approval পাওয়ার পরই করা যায়) করে Barrister হয়ে দেশে এসে Practice করা সম্ভব। আর এতে খরচ বড়জোর ৩-৪ লক্ষ টাকা মাত্র, যা কিনা আগে ছিল প্রায় ৫০ লক্ষ টাকার মতো এবং প্রচুর ধৈর্য, সময় ও পরিশ্রম সাপেক্ষ।

          Qualifications Committee থেকে অনুমোদন পাওয়ার জন্য BSB নির্ধারিত সর্বশেষ সংস্করণের আবেদনপত্রে আবেদন করতে হবে। আবেদনের সঙ্গে LLB, LLM’র সার্টিফিকেটের সত্যায়িত কপি, আপনি যে আদালতে প্রাকটিস করেন সে আদালতের সিনিয়র জজ (জেলা ও দায়রা জজ বা অতিরিক্ত জেলা ও দায়রা জজ বা পিপি বা জিপি বা অতিরিক্ত পিপি বা জিপি’র সুপারিশ), আপনি যে চেম্বারে কাজ করেন সে চেম্বারের প্রধানের নিকট থেকে একটি সার্টিফিকেট, বার কাউন্সিল প্রদত্ত মূল সনদের সত্যায়িত কপি, বার কাউন্সিল থেকে Certificate of Good Standing (অর্থাৎ আপনি পেশাগত আচরণ মেনে চলেন, আপনার সনদ এ কারণে কখনো স্থগিত হয়নি মর্মে প্রদেয় সনদ, যা বার কাউন্সিলে আবেদন করে ৫০০ টাকা ফি দিলে দেয়া হয়), আপনি যে বার অ্যাসোসিয়েশনের সদস্য সে বারের সেক্রেটারি প্রদত্ত সদস্য সনদসহ ডাকযোগে নিম্নো ঠিকানায় পাঠাতে হবেঃ

The Training Regulations Officer, The Bar Standards Board, 289-293 High Holborn, London WC1V 7HZ

আবেদনপত্র প্রাপ্তির পর আবেদনপত্রে উল্লিখিত email-এ প্রাপ্তি স্বীকার করা হবে এবং আবেদন পাবার ৮ সপ্তাহের মধ্যে BSB তাদের সিদ্ধান্ত আপানাকে জানাবে যে আপনি EXEMPTION পাবেন কিনা বা পেলেও কোন কোন সেকশনে পাবেন। Training Regulations Officer হিসেবে বর্তমানে BSB-তে দায়িত্ব পালন করেন Ms. Pauline Smith (email: PSmith@BarStandardsBoard.org.uk), তিনি আপনার সঙ্গে যোগাযোগ করবেন। তারপর পছন্দ মতো সময়ে London যেয়ে পরীক্ষা দিয়ে আপনি পাবেন আপনার কাঙ্ক্ষিত Bar-At-Law Degree.

বিস্তারিত জানতেঃ raisul.sourav@outlook.com

Legal remedies against violence during hartal/blockade

Recently we have witnessed a burning Bangladesh. People burned hither and thither. There is no assurance of natural death rather we, the owner of the state are forced to greet aberrant, brutal and cruel killing. Our fortune depends on the whimsical decisions of the political parties. They call and observe endless hartal (strike), blockade and other means of agitation on the occasion of the forthcoming 10^th parliament election. On the contrary, current self-styled poll time govt. tries to protest this sort of activities by police, arrest, detention etc.

However, this battle to retain and regain power generates enormous trouble towards us. Common people of this soil, who are neither involve nor beneficial from any political party, pay extreme cost of these kinds of mutinous acts mostly. Public are the ultimate sufferer; they lost their life, property, profession, relatives and even the only means of their earning. Whoever alive fortunately(!) is being oblige to welcome a never-ending measurable existence. They did not get any sort of legal remedy as if it is their misfortune to born in this society.

The perpetrators are untouchable though they are the member of our ruler’s party and it is obvious after every five years when they show their strength to become the king instead of recognizing the voters as their king. This manuscript tries to locate some offences relating to present subversive activities and available legal remedies against that violence:

Arson: Last few days we watched mass people of this independent territory died in public transport by arson. Offenders throw gunpowder and petrol bomb in public vehicle to create fear among the citizens to restrain them from free movement. Consequently, politically powerless electors burned on road and subsequently crying in the hospital to stop this power grabbing game. As per our existing law whoever does with any explosive substance or with fire or any flammable matter any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person shall be punished with maximum six months jail or with highest one thousand taka fine or with both.

Moreover, if anybody does any act so rashly or negligently which endanger human life or the personal safety of others shall also be liable for highest three months imprisonment or with maximum two hundred taka fine or with both.

Sometime criminals do this by entering into a bus/vehicle as a passenger, which also constitutes a separate offence i.e. criminal trespass. According to the language of the Penal Code, 1860 whoever enters into or upon property in possession of another with intent to commit an offence or to intimidate, insult or annoy any person in possession of such property or having entered into or upon such property unlawfully remains there with same intent will liable for criminal trespass and shall be punished for maximum three months prison or with highest five hundred taka fine or with both.  Despite criminal case, a victim is entitled to get all sorts of damages from all parties who are engaged with this.

Political leaders are so negligent about the worth of a life. They have no headache about people’s gauge; their only endeavor is riding on the hot seat of power at any cost. However, enough laws are there to prevent it but regrettably these do not implement ever.

Illegal restraint & confinement: During the period of hartal or blockade, we see that the protesters intentionally or knowingly forced us from preceding our desired destination or restrained ourselves from going beyond some certain circumscribing limits. Whoever does this shall be punished with maximum one-year sentence or maximum one thousand taka fine or with both.

Unlawful gathering: Presently we have observed some people made obstacle on highway, railway and waterway so that the communication system can be interrupted. They also resisted police from removing such obstacles. They may be liable for sabotage under the Special Powers Act, 1974. In addition, if at least five or more persons have common object to overawe criminal force or show of criminal force to Government, Legislature or any public servant in the exercise of the lawful power of such; or to resist the execution of any law or of any legal process; or to commit any mischief, criminal trespass or other offence; or by means of criminal force, or show of such, to anybody to take or obtain possession of any property, or to deprive any person of the enjoyment of a right of way or the use of water or other incorporeal right of which he is in possession or enjoyment, or to enforce any right or supposed right; or by means of criminal force, or show of such, to compel anybody to do what he is not legally bound to do, or to omit to do what he is entitled to do is committing unlawful assembly, which punishment is maximum six months imprisonment or with fine or with both. Whoever joined in an unlawful assembly with deadly weapon shall be punished with highest two years imprisonment or with fine or with both.

Hire of person: Frequently, it is proved that somebody hires some people to do this act while our Penal Code, 1860 provides relief and says if anybody hires, engages, employs or promotes any person to join or become a member of an unlawful assembly, shall be punished as a member of such assembly and for any offence which may be committed by any such person in pursuance of such hiring he shall be punished in the same manner as if he had been a member of such unlawful assembly, or himself had committed such offence. By this legal arrangement, a victim can initiate official action against the person who hired them.

Mischief: Now it is very easy to break one’s car/vehicle at any chance. A victim can take support of law to prevent damage of his property. In spite of criminal action, he can bring civil suit for compensation. Penal Code provides that, whoever with intent to cause, or knowing that he is likely to cause, wrongful loss or damage to the public or to any person, causes the destruction of any property, or any such change in any property or in the situation thereof as destroys or diminished its value or utility, or affects it injuriously, commits mischief and he shall be punished with highest three months lockup or with fine or with both.

Inducing students to take part in political movement: Habitually political parties entail students in their political actions, which hamper public order. Hence, whosoever induces any student to join in any political activity which disturbs or likely to undermine public orders shall be punished with highest two years custody or with fine or with both.

Attack on police: At this moment, we notice that the police are also assailed by the violators. If someone assaults or threatens to assaults or obstructs any public servant in discharge of his official duty, he shall be punished with maximum three years detention or with fine or with both.

Now a day’s cocktail is very much popular before and on the day of hartal and blockade. The Explosives Act, 1884 has provisions against unauthorized use of such explosives and these offences are also cognizable, which means in that event police can arrest the alleged culprits without warrant. Action can also be taken under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908 for the same offences and the punishment under these laws are more rigorous than the Penal Code that may extend to death sentence.

Apart from the Penal Code, 1860; these offences and obstacles, arson and other offences in railway can be tried under the Special Powers Act, 1974 as sabotage, where the punishment is more rigorous which may extend to death penalty or life imprisonment or minimum fourteen years confinement and fine. Furthermore, under the mentioned Act the offences are cognizable and non-bail able. It should be borne in mind that an abettor could also be punished for his abetment to this type terror activity. 

Government may also capture them under the Speedy Trial Act and the new Anti Terrorism (Amendment) Act, 2013 to prevent this type of perilous political activities.  Finally, it is not necessary to be a victim to take legal actions against the perpetrators and not essential to be a police to arrest them. Any person, whether he is a victim or not, can arrest and file case to police or magistrate to ensure punishment and get relief from this intolerable situation.
Published in the Daily Star's Law & Our Rights page (p. 12) on 24-12-2013 

How to Execute an affidavit

Affidavit means official affirmation of a fact by the executor of the promulgation. By executing an affidavit executor takes the responsibility of truth ness of his statement. If it is proved that the statement was fake and the executor did this knowingly or intentionally then he will be punished accordingly. Hence, it carries legal worth in favour of a described fact in a deed.

Once anyone, admitted anything by formal declaration then he has no scope to deny the fact latter. This is why affidavit is mandatory in some legal processes to furnish some legal documents. Without executing an affidavit no one can do that particular things legally, like if you want to gift, purchase or sell a piece of land or flat, you will have to do an affidavit regarding your ownership/right over the property. Moreover, affidavit is required to file a suit, to correct or amend name, alteration of religion etc. Even it is mandatory for marriage, divorce and many other sectors specified by law.

What need to be mention in an affidavit: a) affidavit must be written and contain full name, address, parent’s name, nationality, age, religion and profession of the executor;

b) full description of the subject matter and cause of the affidavit;

c) date of execution of affidavit;

d) number of national identity card (if any);

e) schedule of land;

f) In case of transfer of property, the way by which the executor achieved the right to transfer;

g) In case of correction of name both previous name and corrected form of name;

h) In case of marriage, full name of both the bride and bridegroom, parent’s/guardian’s name, address, age, date, total amount of dower, amount of paid up dower, name of the witnesses, signature of the parties concern etc.;

i) signature of the executor;

j) signature of the witnesses (if any);

k) identification and signature of an advocate; etc.

Means to accomplish an affidavit: To complete an affidavit first you will have to write your concern subject matters on a non-judicial stamp. The value of the stamp varies on subject matter. Typically, the worth is between 150 to 500 taka. The executor need to affix a passport size attested photograph of him on the stamp. After completing all these procedures, you should go to a first class magistrate or a notary public, before whom you will have to affirm the matters in written form and sign on the stamp. After scrutinizing the documents, the magistrate or notary public will sign on the deed and affix a government special seal along with his official seal on the same stamp. Then he will put a number of the affidavit and preserve a photocopy in his office.

Some more things to remember: If you want to get an interim relief in a civil suit then you will have to execute your affidavit before the concern court officer and in that case no photograph is required. To submit a written statement against such relief same procedure need to be follow. In case of land matter, the affidavit will have to be present before the registrar to register the deed. Now, age cannot be changed by mere affidavit. However, in case of alteration of name a newspaper advertisement is necessary after execution of an affidavit. One more this must be borne in mind that mere affidavit before a magistrate/notary public does not complete a marriage. Though, in our society it is known as court marriage, but actually it is a mere declaration by the parties to do a marriage by their own consent. Only itself has no legal effect to prove a valid marriage. To do a legitimate marriage, it needs to be completed according to the rule of religion of the parties concern. Similarly, in case of divorce, parties must maintain exact procedure of law.

Hence, affidavit could be regarded as a supportive evidence to strengthen the claim. Finally, by executing an affidavit, the executor assures about a fact, hence before doing an affidavit we should acquire full knowledge about the fact and describe that cautiously. Otherwise, the purpose of affidavit will be defeated and you may lose your rights. 

Published in Dhaka Tribune at Juris page no. 5 on 28.11.2013 

When TIN shall require

TIN (Taxpayer's Identification Number) is an illustrious term in Tax phenomena. Regrettably, most of us do not know the actual utility of TIN. TIN is not only a mere number, but also has some sensible implementations and values. Nevertheless, we cannot oppose the significance of TIN for orderly arrangement of taxpayer's in our total Tax scheme. In our country, a number of people feel panic to get TIN; since they think that if they have a TIN, a burden of paying tax would inflict over them. Person having no obligation to pay taxes chargeable under the Income Tax Ordinance, 1984 is free from the lumber of paying taxes even if he has a TIN certificate.

How to get TIN: Now a day, it is very simple and hassle free to get a TIN certificate. You need not to go tax office to collect your TIN because National Board of Revenue (NBR) has introduces e-TIN registration system for the taxpayers. All existing taxpayers should register through www.incometax.gov.bd to get their new 12 digits e-TIN certificate instead of the former 10 digits one by 31 December of this year. After inserting information the interested individual will get his/her TIN number and certificate automatically. The existing TINs will be invalid from January 1, 2014. Further, any new taxpayer can also be able to get his new TIN from his home through this process. If any individuals have no online facility he/she can collect his/her TIN certificate from his Tax area. Organizations have also require collecting e-TIN. The existing institutional Tax payers only need to input their Incorporate Certificate (IC) number in websites and all of information will updated automatically.

Where TIN is mandatory: TIN has an extra worth for the reason of its requirement in some arena of our daily affairs. Without presenting TIN certificate at that particular place(s), one cannot do his desired job. To furnish that task fruitfully it is mandatory to show TIN certificate at that place which is stipulated in S. 184A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 1984. The place(s) at which a person is required to produce the TIN certificate are:

(a) opening a letter of credit for the purpose of import or submitting an application for the purpose of obtaining an import registration certificate.

(b) renewal of trade license in the area of a city corporation or of a paurashava of a divisional headquarters or of a district headquarters.

(c) submitting tender documents for the purpose of supply of goods, execution of a contract or for rendering services.

(d) submitting an application for membership of a club registered under the Companies Act, 1994.

(e) issuance or renewal of license or enlistment of a surveyor of general insurance.

(f) registration for purchase of land, building or an apartment situated within any city corporation, deed value of which exceeds one lakh taka. However, this is not applicable in case of registration for purchase of land, building or an apartment situated within any city corporation, by a non resident Bangladeshi.

(g) registration, change of ownership or renewal of fitness of a car, jeep or a microbus as defined by the Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1983.

(h) sanction of loan exceeding five lakh taka to a person by a commercial bank or a leasing company.

(i) issue of credit card.

(j) issue of practicing license to a doctor, a chartered accountant, a cost and management accountant, a lawyer or an income tax practitioner.

(k) giving ISD connection to any kind of telephone.

(l) registration of a company under the Companies Act, 1994 in respect of sponsor director.

(m) submission of application for a license as a Nikah Registrar under the Muslim Marriages and Divorces (Registration) Act, 1974.

(n) applying for or renewal of membership of any trade body.

(o) submitting a plan for construction of building for the purpose of obtaining approval from Rajdhani Unnyan Kartipakkha (RAJUK), Chittagong Development Authority (CDA), Khulna Development Authority (KDA) and Rajshahi Development Authority (RDA);

(p) issuance of drug license.

The grounds could be updated by modifying the Ordinance. Because some of the grounds have lost its efficacy and a number of new grounds can be inserted into the law to make TIN more meaningful and inevitable. Registration, change of ownership or renewal of a license of weapon/ship may also be added to the list. Establishing an industry would be a finest ground for presenting TIN certificate. 

TIN certificate is the symbol of consciousness of a nation. Because only cognizant citizen holds a TIN certificate not for the reason of producing that certificate at the required place(s), rather to contribute the nation by paying taxes. Payment of tax at due time is our solemn duty. If each and every capable inhabitant of our beloved motherland does this task properly, then the opulence of our country will run swiftly. We should come out from the blaming games and try to contribute to the national economy by ourselves.

Published in Dhaka Tribune at Juris page no. 5 on 21.11.2013