Decision on Gazi Nazrul's MP post after seeing police action: Speaker

Speaker of the National Parliament Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has said a decision on the parliamentary membership of Satkhira-4 MP Gazi Nazrul Islam, who has been expelled from Jamaat-e-Islami, will be taken after seeing what kind of action the police take against him.

The Speaker said this to the media on Tuesday when asked about Gazi Nazrul Islam's parliamentary membership.

However, the Speaker also said Gazi Nazrul's parliamentary membership will not be vacated due to his expulsion from the party.

Jamaat-e-Islami expelled Gazi Nazrul Islam from the party on July 22 last year after a video of "personal moments" spread on social media. The party wrote to the Speaker and the Chief Election Commissioner, requesting necessary action. However, his parliamentary membership still remains.

Meanwhile, Gazi Nazrul has come into discussion again over the death of his second wife, Mariam Khatun (19). Mariam's hanging body was recovered from a flat in building no. 5 of the Nyam building in the capital on Sunday evening.

In the incident, Mariam's father filed a case over abetment of suicide. Gazi Nazrul Islam, his first wife Maksuda Islam and Mariam's uncle Obaidur Rahman were made accused in the case. Gazi Nazrul is currently in remand after being arrested in the case. His first wife Maksuda was sent to jail after a one-day remand.

Asked about Gazi Nazrul's parliamentary membership, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said Jamaat-e-Islami has written informing about his expulsion. However, if a Member of Parliament is expelled from the party, their parliamentary membership is not vacated.

The Speaker said if an MP himself resigns from the party or votes against the party, their seat is vacated.

Regarding Gazi Nazrul's arrest in the case over abetment of suicide, the Speaker said they are waiting to see what action the police now take. After learning about the police action, a letter will be sent to the Election Commission. A decision will then be taken on the matter. He also mentioned that the court can also give a decision on the matter.

According to Article 70 of the Constitution, after being elected as a Member of Parliament as a candidate of a political party, if they resign from the party or vote against the party in parliament, their seat is vacated. And Article 66 of the Constitution says that if any dispute arises over whether the seat of a Member of Parliament will be vacated under Article 70, the question will be sent to the Election Commission for hearing and settlement. In this case, the commission's decision will be final.

Article 66 of the Constitution lays down several qualifications for being elected as a Member of Parliament and remaining in the post. One of them is that if a person is convicted of a criminal offence involving moral turpitude and sentenced to imprisonment of at least two years, and five years have not elapsed since their release, they will be considered ineligible to be a Member of Parliament or remain in the post.

After Gazi Nazrul Islam's expulsion, Jamaat had also requested the ruling party not to keep him in any parliamentary committee. In light of that, he was removed from two parliamentary committees. But on September 7, his name was included in the Government Assurances Committee. Later, the committee was reconstituted after removing his name following Jamaat's objection.

After expelling Gazi Nazrul, Jamaat-e-Islami had requested the ruling party not to keep him in any parliamentary committee. In light of that, he was removed from two parliamentary committees.

However, on September 7, his name was included in the Government Assurances Committee. Later, the committee was reconstituted after removing his name following Jamaat-e-Islami's objection.

There was a debate in parliament between the ruling and opposition parties over this that day. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said in parliament that if a Member of Parliament is expelled from the party, their parliamentary membership is not vacated as per the Constitution. Article 70 does not apply unless they resign themselves.