HC seeks 90-day report on judges’ safety

Staff Reporter :

The High Court has ordered a committee to submit a report within 90 days on the security arrangements for judges, their courts, and residences nationwide. The directive was issued to the Registrar General of the Supreme Court.

A bench of Justice Sikder Mahmudur Raji and Justice Rajiuddin Ahmed issued the order on Tuesday, following a writ petition concerning the recent murder of a judge’s son in Rajshahi.
The petition, filed by lawyer Md. Mehedi Hasan, sought enforcement of a circular issued by the Supreme Court Registrar General on November 28 last year, aimed at ensuring security for High Court judges, judges of all subordinate courts and tribunals, their courts, residences, and related staff.

Lawyers Md. Omar Faruk and Moqaddas Ahmed represented the petitioners, while Deputy Attorney General Md. Mehedi Hasan represented the state.

After the hearing, lawyer Omar Faruk told reporters that the High Court has formed a committee to assess the current security arrangements across the country and report within 90 days. The committee will also consider the safety of court officials and employees.
The court additionally issued a rule to explain why the authorities’ inaction regarding overall judicial security should not be deemed illegal. The Home Secretary, IGP, and RAB Director General have been directed to respond.

The writ petition followed the stabbing death of District Judge Mohammad Abdur Rahman’s 17-year-old son on November 13 in Rajshahi. His wife was also injured in the attack. The Bangladesh Judicial Service Association briefly went on strike demanding enhanced security for judges but withdrew after assurances from Legal Advisor Asif Nazrul.