SANGSAD BHABAN, Nov 2, 2023 (BSS) - Jatiya Sangsad today passed the Abandoned Buildings (Supplementary Provisions) Bill, 2023 with a provision stating that the confiscated properties of a convicted war criminal would be treated as "abandoned assets".
 
State Minister for Housing and Public Works Sharif Ahmed moved the bill which was unanimously passed by voice votes with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.

The existing law is also an ordinance of 1985. Since it was promulgated during the military regime, the new law had to be brought as per the judgment of the High Court.

"Few small changes were made the bill," said the concerned minister while giving statement on the proposed law.

He added: "If anyone is convicted in a war crimes case and the court seizes his/ her properties, these will be considered as abandoned properties under the proposed law."

Besides, the final authority was given to the head of the government instead of the government in case of disposal of anything regarding high-valued buildings like that in Gulshan, Banani and Dhanmondi.
 
The draft law was placed to replace the Abandoned Buildings (Supplementary Provisions) Ordinance, 1985.