The High Court today (April 23) stayed an office order of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) that permission from higher authorities must be obtained to arrest the accused in the case related to the anti-discrimination student movement.

A High Court bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi issued the order along with a rule in response to a writ petition.

Senior lawyer Ruhul Quddus Kajal heard the petition in court.

On April 20, Supreme Court lawyer Md Jasim Uddin submitted the writ with the High Court challenging the legality of the DMP directive.

On April 9, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) issued the order mentioning that officers must obtain prior approval from higher authorities before making any arrests in cases related to the killings and other atrocities during the mass uprising.

According to the directive, sufficient evidence must be presented before arrests can be made.

The official order highlighted that many of the cases filed post-uprising involve numerous individuals, and investigators must have reliable proof before detaining anyone named in the FIR (First Information Report) or identified during their inquiries.

The evidence required includes victim statements, eyewitness accounts, video or audio footage, photographs, or call records.

BDST: 1302 HRS, APR 23, 2025
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