STAFF CORRESPONDENT

The High Court yesterday issued a rule questioning the legality of Section 50(5) of the Cyber Safety Act, 2026, which mandates blanket dismissal of pending cases, including those involving cyber sexual harassment and online gender-based violence.

In the rule, the court asked the respondents to explain why the section of the law should not be declared unconstitutional.

The HC also sought an explanation from them as to why the dismissal of a cyber sexual harassment case pending with Barishal Cyber Tribunal under this provision should not be declared unlawful.

The case was filed by victim Rubaya Monzur under the Cyber Security Act with Kotwali Model Police Station in Barishal on June 20, 2020 over harassment, impersonation, and misuse of her mobile number and identity through different social media platforms.

Law and home secretaries, inspector general of police and Cyber Tribunal, Barishal have been made respondents to the rule.

The bench of Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar issued the rule

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