FROM PAGE 3

Following a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Manoj Kumar Bhowmick, the High Court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub, who is now an SC judge, and Justice Muhammad Mahbub Ul Islam issued a rule on April 5, 2023, asking the government to explain why Jasmine’s detention without a case should not be declared illegal and unconstitutional.

The HC at the time also asked them to explain why they should not be directed to take action against the Rab members who had detained her.

The HC bench also directed the cabinet secretary to form a high-powered committee to investigate the incident. The then government’s probe body submitted its report on August 17, 2023, to the HC bench led by Justice Farah Mahbub.

On October 15, the same year, the bench termed the probe committee’s report vague and unsatisfactory as it had failed to give any description of her arrest or any specific findings. It also fixed November 29, 2024, for the rule hearing.

However, the jurisdiction of the bench led by Justice Farah Mahbub was later reconstituted by the then chief justice Obaidul Hassan as “routine work”. The HC is yet to hold the hearing on the rule and deliver its verdict, said Bhowmick.

Bhowmick said he would mention the matter before another HC bench at a convenient time for hearing and disposal of the rule.

Contacted on May 8, Additional Attorney General Md Arshadur Rouf said he would enquire about the HC rule and then take necessary decision on the matter.