The High Court yesterday directed the law enforcers not to expose detained or arrested persons in any case before the media, saying such acts are illegal and unconstitutional.

In response to a petition, the court directed the authorities concerned to submit a report before it within 24 hours after complying with the order.

The court also issued a rule upon the law-enforcement authorities to explain in two weeks why they should not be directed not to take any statement from the detainees before the media.

The HC bench of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik and Justice Farid Ahmed also asked the authorities to explain why they should not be directed to discharge their duties within the purview of the law.

The home secretary, inspector general of police, director general of Rapid Action Battalion, and commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police have been made respondents to the rule.

The HC bench came up with the order and rule after holding hearing on a petition filed as public interest litigation by Akil-Uz-Zaman, an apprentice lawyer, rrum rauc zu

yesterday challenging legality of law enforcers' act of producing detainees before the media.

He said in the petition exposing the detained or arrested persons before the media and making them speak are illegal and unconstitutional.

Petitioner's lawyer KM Shafiuddin told the court law enforcers would produce the detainees before the court concerned, but as per law they cannot hold press conference after detaining them.

During hearing, Justice Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik observed that the law enforcers' taking confessional statements from the detainees while exposing them before the media is not only a media trial but also a media conviction.

Deputy Attorney General Amit Talukder represented the government.