High Court orders Canberra mission to trace Bangladeshi missing in Fiji
The court also ordered that the investigation report be submitted within 30 days.
The High Court has directed the Bangladesh High Commission in Canberra, Australia, to investigate the whereabouts of Parban Barua, a resident of Ramu in Cox's Bazar, who went missing nearly a year ago while working in the island nation of Fiji.
The court also ordered that the investigation report be submitted within 30 days.
The High Court bench of Justice Khizir Ahmed Chowdhury and Justice AFM Saiful Karim passed the order today (6 September) after hearing a writ petition filed in this regard.
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Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua appeared for the petitioner.
After the order, Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua told reporters that Parban Barua, a chef from Cox's Bazar, migrated to Fiji in search of better opportunities in 2024. He secured a job as a chef at a hotel owned by a group called Tapu Group, the lawyer said.
"There was another Indian chef there, and they used to talk about various issues concerning Bangladesh. The Indian chef would make disparaging remarks about Bangladesh, which gradually led to a deterioration in their relationship.
"At one point, Parban became a victim of severe mental and physical abuse, which he shared to his family members through video messages," the lawyer said.
He said the family last communicated with Parban on 6 July 2025.
The lawyer said Parban's maternal uncle and mother had sent letters, applications and petitions to various government offices, starting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Wage Earners' Welfare Board, seeking assistance to locate him, determine his condition and bring him back to Bangladesh.
Jyotirmoy said the family was forced to seek the High Court's intervention after receiving no assistance from government offices despite making repeated efforts since 2025.
"After hearing the writ petition, the High Court issued a rule. Since Bangladesh does not have an embassy in Fiji, directions have been issued to the High Commissioner of the Bangladesh High Commission in Canberra and the concerned official – the first secretary who primarily deals with labour-related issues," he said.
The High Court directed to conduct an investigation and submit a comprehensive report to the High Court Division within 30 days on where Parban Barua is and what his current status is. The 30-day period will begin from the date of receipt of the notice, the lawyer added.
