The Appellate Division has scheduled July 22 for its ruling on the custody rights of Jasmine Malika and Laila Lina, the children caught in a legal battle between Japanese mother Nakano Eriko and Bangladeshi father Imran Sharif.
Chief Justice Obaidul Hasan led a panel of five judges who fixed the date during proceedings on Monday. Barrister Ajmalul Hossain KC, Advocate Ahsanul Karim, and Advocate Shishir Monir represented Eriko Nakano, while senior lawyer Barrister Akhtar Imam appeared for Imran Sharif, assisted by Barrister Rashna Imam.
Nakano Eriko, present in court, returned to Bangladesh on July 10, leaving her eldest daughter Jasmine Malika in Japan, stating her compliance with the court's directives.
The legal dispute began with Imran Sharif's contempt of court case against Nakano Eriko for taking Jasmine Malika to Japan without permission. The High Court's initial ruling on February 13 granted custody of Jasmine Malika and her younger sister Sonia to Eriko Nakano, with Laila Lina staying with Imran Sharif. This decision was later stayed by the Chamber Court of the Appellate Division on April 9, after which Nakano left for Japan with Jasmine Malika, prompting further legal action.
With a focus on parental rights and consideration of the intricacies of international custody disputes, legislators hope that the Appellate Division's upcoming order will settle the custody arrangement
for the children.
