HC orders committee to assess security measures for courts and judges nationwide
The committee has been instructed to submit its report within 90 days
The High Court has directed the Supreme Court's registrar general to form a committee to assess existing security measures for the Supreme Court, subordinate courts and all judges across the country.
The committee has been instructed to submit its report within 90 days.
The bench of Justice Shikdar Mahmudur Raji and Justice Rajiuuddin Ahmed issued the order yesterday (18 November) following a preliminary hearing on a public interest writ petition.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
At the same time, the court issued a rule asking why the inaction of the authorities concerned in ensuring the overall security of judges, their courtrooms and residences, within the Supreme Court compound and all subordinate civil and criminal courts and tribunals, should not be declared illegal.
On 28 November last year, the Supreme Court administration issued an order to ensure comprehensive security for judges, their courtrooms and residences. However, no steps were taken afterwards, prompting lawyer Mehedi Hasan to file the writ petition with the High Court on 16 November.
During yesterday's hearing, advocates Md Omar Faruk and Mokaddas Ahmed told the court that the authorities had failed to ensure adequate security for judges, their courtrooms and residences across subordinate civil and criminal courts and tribunals.
They referenced past incidents, including the killing of two judges in 2005, thefts at judges' residences, and the recent murder of the Rajshahi Metropolitan Sessions Judge's son, as "ominous signs" for the judiciary.
After the hearing, the High Court issued the rule and directive.
