A writ petition has been filed with the High Court seeking directives for the authorities to take administrative action, in accordance with existing laws and relevant service rules, against members of law enforcement agencies named as accused in criminal cases filed over incidents during the July mass uprising.
Petitioner Advocate SM Zulfikar Ali Junu confirmed the matter on Friday.
The respondents include the home secretary, the inspector general of police (IGP), the director general of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and the director general of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
According to the writ petition, several members of law enforcement agencies have been named in first information reports (FIRs) in criminal cases over alleged shootings during the July mass uprising. It argues that allowing the accused officials to remain on duty while investigations are underway could undermine the impartiality of the investigations, erode public confidence, and compromise the rule of law.
The petition clarifies that it does not seek a declaration that the accused officials are guilty. Instead, it requests the court to direct the competent authorities to consider appropriate administrative measures, such as temporary suspension or restricting official duties, in accordance with applicable laws and service rules while the investigations are ongoing.
The writ also seeks a rule asking the authorities to explain why their failure to consider administrative action against the accused officials under existing laws and service rules should not be declared unlawful.
It further requests directives for the authorities to consider temporary suspension or other administrative measures against the officials concerned until the writ is disposed of, ensure the speedy, impartial and independent investigation of cases related to the July mass uprising, and pass any other orders the court deems necessary in the interest of justice.
The petition has been accompanied by supporting documents, including reports published in national newspapers, online news reports, representations submitted to the relevant authorities, and postal receipts.
