SC decision on custody of Japanese children 15 Dec

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) today set 15 December to pass its order, selecting the custodian of two daughters of Bangladesh-born US citizen Imran Sharif and Japanese citizen Eriko Nakano.

A five-member apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed the order, saying the two daughters, Makano Jasmine Malika, 11, and Makano Laila Lina, 9, will be in the custody of their mothers till that day.

The court came up with the order after holding hearing on a contempt of court petition filed by Eriko against her estranged husband Imran. Earlier in the morning the Appellate Division judges talked to the children and their parents in the chamber room of the chief justice.

Eriko Nakano filed the petition against Imran Sharif as he refused to hand the daughters to their mother as per the direction of the Supreme Court.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on December 12 had directed Imran Sharif to hand her daughters by 10pm to their mother. But the father failed to comply with the apex court direction, making Eriko to file the contempt of court petition.

Earlier on 21 November the High Court in its order had said the daughters will live with their father in Bangladesh.

The court in its order had also said Eriko will be allowed to live with her daughters thrice a year and 10 days on each visit exclusively and Imran Sharif will bear the expenses of her visits.

The High Court division bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman passed the order after holding hearing on a writ filed in this regard.

The court said the mother will be able to meet her children at any other time at her own expense. The father will have to arrange virtual meeting of the mother and her two daughters twice on every holiday.

Apart from these, Imran Sharif will have to give Tk10 lakh to his estranged wife within next seven days as cost of her recent visits to Bangladesh.

The High Court on 31 August ordered Sharif Imran and Nakano Eriko to live at a Gulshan flat together for 15 days with their two daughters. The court had asked Department of Social Services to look over the matter and the Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police is being asked to ensure the safety of this family.

The court finally came up with its order as the estranged couple failed to reach a consensus on where and with whom their two daughters Makano Jasmine Malika, 11, and Makano Laila Lina, 9, will live, in spite of repeated instructions from the court.

"We want the two children to live in a family atmosphere. Please both of you think positively," the court had said during the hearing.

Nakano Eriko filed the writ on 19 August, pleading for the High Court directions to get back her two daughters from their father Sharif Imran.

The High Court on 23 August, asked the authorities concerned to keep the two children at the Tejgaon Victim Support Centre in a good environment. The High Court had allowed their parents to visit them at the centre.