Relief and Disaster Management Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya was served a legal notice yesterday over his legitimacy as lawmaker and minister.
Supreme Court lawyer Yunus Ali Akond served the notice in public interest, asking asked Maya to explain within 24 hours under what authority he is holding the offices after the apex court annulled his acquittal in a graft case.
Akond said: “Maya has lost right to serve as a minister or lawmaker... According to the article 66 of the constitution, a person who is convicted or jailed on ethical grounds can not contest in election or even hold the post as member of the parliament.”
On June 14, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court cancelled the High Court’s acquittal of ruling party lawmaker Maya from a 13 year jail sentence in a corruption case.
On June 13 in 2007, the ACC filed the case against Maya with Sutrapur police station on charge of amassing illegal wealth worth Tk29 lakh and concealing information about it.
A special court sentenced Maya to 13 years’ imprisonment in the case on February 14, 2008. Maya filed an appeal with the HC challenging the special court’s verdict on May 25, 2009.
After hearing the appeal, an HC bench acquitted the minister of the corruption charges and cancelled his conviction.
