It is not very uncommon to see one branch of the state exceeding its defined responsibility and stepping into the territory of the other branch. However, sometimes the executive, particularly those that are at the field level, carry it too far by becoming judge, jury and executioner at the same time, forgetting the bounds of their duty. In a blatant display of such an action, a UNO recently fined a doctor for “violating” lockdown orders. However, two days after that incident, the said UNO, of Satkania in Chattogram, has been withdrawn and made officer on special duty. Although the Divisional Commissioner was evasive of the question regarding whether the posting had to do with the officer’s fining a doctor, it would be a fair surmise that it was indeed so.

In this instance, it was not only the executive arrogating to itself judicial authority—penalising a doctor, a frontline soldier in the fight against the pandemic, also betrayed a dismal lack of common sense of the UNO. As the chief executive, he should have known the details of the lockdown orders, more so the fact that a health worker’s services fall within the category of essential services and hence are outside the purview of lockdown. Such an imprudent action was also replicated in Habiganj, where an executive magistrate of Ajmeriganj upazila fined a doctor for violating the lockdown. Later, good sense prevailed and the money was returned.

We would hope that our public servants, particularly those in charge of the administration at the ground level, should not only be more judicious but more humane and sensible in enforcing government orders. They should also not assume such authority or power which, by the Constitution of the country or by its rules and procedures, does not devolve on them.