The hearing on the writ petition seeking directives to prevent law enforcement from shooting at quota reform protesters and to release six coordinators from Detective Branch (DB) custody will not take place today.
The session was postponed due to the illness of junior judge SM Masud Hossain Dolon, who has taken leave, according to court sources. As a result, the hearing has been rescheduled for a later date.
On Monday, Supreme Court lawyers Ainun Nahar Siddiqa and Manzur Al Matin filed the petition, naming the cabinet secretary, home ministry secretary, inspector general of police, and other concerned parties as respondents.
On Tuesday, during the hearing of the writ petition, the High Court bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice SM Masud Hossain Dolon expressed their dismay over the violence and fatalities associated with the quota reform protests.
"All deaths are tragic. We are ashamed of the violence and loss of life surrounding the quota reform movement," the bench remarked.
The court also noted, “Everything is written in the Constitution and the law, but none of us is following the Constitution or the law. The CRPC clearly states how the police should behave. We will not do anything that harms the nation.”
Previously, the High Court had expressed its indignation over the release of a video showing six coordinators of the quota reform movement dining at the Detective Branch office in Dhaka, describing the incident as a "mockery" of the nation.
Barrister Sara Hossain, Advocate ZI Khan Panna, Barrister Aneek R Haque, and Advocate Manzur Al Matin represented the writ petitioners, while Additional Attorney Generals SM Munir, Sheikh Md Morshed, and Barrister Mehedi Hasan Chowdhury represented the state.
Following the adjournment, Barrister Aneek Haque addressed a press conference, stating, “We have come to the court with a completely non-political purpose to save the lives of students. We have come to ensure that students are not fired upon indiscriminately. We are here to protect our children. We have not come with any special purpose.”
BDST: 1225 HRS, JULY 31, 2024
MN/SMS
