The amendment of the Evidence Act of the British period added the opportunity to present various digital data as evidence in the trial work. The National Parliament passed the ‘Evidence Act 1872 (Amendment) Bill-2022’ on Thursday (November 3) night. Law Minister Anisul Haque took up the bill in Parliament to pass. Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury scrutinized public opinion on the bill, sent it to the selection committee and settled the amendment proposals.
As a result of the passing of this amendment, an opportunity has also been created to present digital evidence in the trial of the case. Besides, provision has been made so that no one can produce fake or fake evidence through digital means. In this case, if the court feels that there is something objectionable somewhere or if someone raises an objection, then the forensic examination of that evidence can be done.
Most of the members of opposition parties including BNP participated in the discussion of passing the law and appreciated the initiative to amend the law. However, Rumin Farhana, Member of Parliament for reserved women’s seat from BNP, fears that some of its clauses may be used to attack political opponents.
She said, ‘This law was very necessary. But it matters in whose hands the law will resort. Digital security has been enacted. It can be seen that the law is used to suppress the opponent. Not only that, it is being used against dissident journalists, intellectual Facebookers. Data protection legislation is being enacted, it will intrude on people’s privacy.’ She expressed apprehension that the Evidence Act, which has included a provision for taking digital records as evidence, could be used against political opponents. Because, now using ‘deep fake’ technology, one can create a video using another person’s picture in place of one’s picture.
In response to Rumin’s statement, Law Minister Anisul Haque said, ‘Before passing the Information Protection Act, the stakeholders will be discussed again. This law will be made after discussing with everyone. This law is being made not to control anyone, but to protect the citizen’s information.
Regarding the digital security law, the law minister said, “This law has been made by targeting the opposition party, it is not correct. This has been done to control cybercrime. They have admitted that this law has been misused and tried to correct it. But BNP passed indemnity after killing Bangabandhu. They have never expressed regret for this.”
In 1973, the Bangladesh Laws (Revision and Declaration) Act 1973 (Act No. Eight of 1973) has been upheld with necessary amendments and adaptations to the pre-independence laws. As per the Rules of Business, 1996 existing laws are under the administrative jurisdiction of various Ministries/Departments including this Ministry. If there is a need to amend any existing law from any ministry or department or if a specific proposal is sent to enact a new law, necessary action is taken from the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Department.
