‘Don’t mock the nation,’ HC on video of quota protesters fed at DB office
Verdict on the petition set for tomorrow
The High Court has expressed its indignation over the release of a video showing six coordinators of the quota reform movement dining at the Detective Branch office in Dhaka, terming the incident a "mockery" of the nation.
"Whoever you detain, you make them sit at the dining table. Who is asking you to do these things? Do not mock the nation in this manner," the HC bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice SM Masud Hossain Dolon told the state counsels during a hearing of a petition today (29 July).
The petition, filed by Supreme Court lawyers Ainun Nahar Siddiqa and Manjur Al Matin yesterday, sought a directive for the law enforcement agencies not to shoot at quota reform protesters during their demonstrations.
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It also sought an HC directive on the release of six quota reform leaders currently in the custody of the Detective Branch (DB) of police for "safety reasons".
The court set 30 July as the date for the verdict on the petition.
The cabinet secretary, secretary of the home ministry, inspector general of police, chief of army staff, and others concerned have been made respondents to the petition.
At least 147 people were killed in the violence surrounding the quota reform movement, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said on 28 July.
'Coordinators eating with fork'
The court's comment came when Additional Attorney General Mehdi Hasan Chowdhury stated that six quota reform movement coordinators were held in DB custody for their safety, mentioning that the media showed them dining with forks.
Senior lawyer ZI Khan Panna argued that actions in the guise of the spirit of the Liberation War are unacceptable. He said students are arrested late at night and their phones inspected.
Barrister Sara Hossain requested the court to prevent shooting protesting students and argued that holding individuals for "safety reasons" without their consent is illegal under Article 61 of the Constitution.
She questioned whether the detainees were held upon their consent.
Additional Attorney General Sheikh Mohammad Morshed told the court that both sides had sustained injuries, including law enforcers.
At the time, the court asked the prosecution how long the coordinators would be kept in detention. Morshed replied that no one had come to the court from the families of the six coordinators.
