The High Court on Sunday directed the law enforcement agencies to produce Miraj Sheikh, a motorcycle taxi driver from Joymonir area of Mongla upazila in Bagerhat who has been missing for about three months, by July 27.
A High Court bench of Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar issued the order with a rule after hearing a writ petition filed by Miraj’s father, Mostafa Sheikh, on June 22.
Lawyer Mujahidul Islam Shaheen heard the petition in the court. He said that the High Court has directed that Miraj Sheikh be produced within 15 days.
Nine people, including the Home Secretary and the Coast Guard DG, have been named as respondents in the writ petition. A report on Miraj Sheikh's disappearance was published in a national daily on May 16. The report has been attached to the writ petition.
The report states, “I myself see that the Coast Guard has taken my husband. They deny this.” Mukta Khatun of Ghol area of Joymonir in Mongla upazila of Bagerhat, adjacent to the Sundarbans, was speaking these words. She has accused the Coast Guard of abducting her husband.
Relatives said that Miraj used to fish in the Sundarbans as well as ride a motorcycle for rent. On April 10, he came home after fishing and went to sleep. He left the house after receiving several calls from an unknown number before evening. At around 7 pm, Miraj was taken away by two men in white clothes from in front of a teashop in Thota area of Joymonir. Upon receiving the news, Miraj's wife Mukta rushed to see that Miraj was being taken to Mongla by a Coast Guard speedboat.
This reporter spoke to a woman and three men from Ghol and Thota areas of Joymonir, who witnessed the incident. All four of them said they saw Miraj being taken away by a Coast Guard speedboat. However, they refused to reveal their names.
While Miraj was being taken away, his motorcycle was left in the custody of shopkeeper Al-Amin. Later on April 21, a person identified as Coast Guard member Robin opened the door with a key and took the motorcycle away. However, on April 22, some Coast Guard personnel brought the motorcycle back.
