The High Court has directed the Passport and Immigration Department to resolve the application for a passport from Michael Chakma, leader of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), within seven days.
The court has also issued a rule asking why it would not be illegal for Michael Chakma to be denied a passport.
The High Court bench, consisting of Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Mubina Asaf, passed these orders following the preliminary hearing of a writ petition on Thursday.
Lawyers Abdullah Al Noman, Abdullah Mahmud Hasan, and Monira Haque represented Michael Chakma in the court, while Deputy Attorney General Advocate Mohammad Shafiqur Rahman appeared on behalf of the state, assisted by Deputy Attorney General Advocate Mahfuz Bin Yusuf, Assistant Attorney General Advocate Ekramul Kabir, and Advocate Md Isa.
Michael Chakma went missing on April 9, 2019. According to the UPDF, he had been politically active for the freedom of all indigenous people, farmers, workers, and the oppressed in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and throughout the country, fighting for democratic rights.
The UPDF said in a press release that Michael Chakma was abducted by state agencies on April 9, 2019. He was released from “Ayanaghor” on August 7, 2024.
