Court bars public remarks

A Dhaka court has prohibited the public disclosure and media broadcasting of statements made by accused persons held in police custody in a case involving the rape and murder of a child in Pallabi.
Judge Masrur Salekin of the Dhaka Metropolitan Children’s Violence Suppression Tribunal issued the order on Tuesday after hearing a petition from the prosecution.

The application was submitted by Special Public Prosecutor Advocate Azizur Rahman before the start of witness testimony in the case.

In the petition, the prosecutor argued that under existing law, accused persons in police custody are not permitted to make public statements outside judicial proceedings, and that higher court directives also support this restriction.

He further stated that the publication of statements from detainees or convicted individuals is a punishable offence, warning that such dissemination could undermine the transparency of the trial process and create confusion among the public.

The petition also noted that restricting the circulation of such statements is necessary to protect the integrity of judicial proceedings, prevent undue influence on public opinion, and safeguard national security interests.

Following the hearing, the tribunal approved the request and instructed the relevant authorities to take necessary measures.