HC issues rule on creating publicly accessible digital database of convicted individuals

The High Court today (9 August) issued a rule asking the government to explain why information on people convicted in criminal cases should not be included in a publicly accessible digital database.

The court asked the home and law secretaries and other concerned authorities to respond to the rule within four weeks.

The High Court bench of Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar issued the rule after the preliminary hearing of a writ petition.

Barrister Fahmida Akhter appeared for the petitioner.

Speaking to reporters, Fahmida said the number of crimes in the country was increasing and a publicly accessible online database containing records of convicted criminals could serve two purposes.

First, she said, publicising such records could deter repeat offences by creating social consequences for convicted criminals.

Second, she said, the database could help prevent crime by allowing people to check individuals' backgrounds before hiring them, letting them into their homes or entering into relationships with them.

"Although we have many laws prescribing punishment after crimes are committed, we do not yet have adequate preventive measures," she said.

She said Bangladesh currently lacked a system for citizens to verify an individual's criminal background before making decisions on employment, accommodation or personal relationships.

"I believe that if such an online database is implemented, the constitutional rights of citizens will be upheld," Fahmida said.

She said she had filed the writ petition seeking directions to create a publicly accessible online database of convicted criminals.

Following the hearing, the High Court issued a rule asking why the authorities should not be directed to create the database and make the records publicly available, she added.