Validity of Prior Approval for Arrest in Case of Accused to be Heard on Wednesday
- Update Time : 06:09:25 am, Monday, 21 April 2025
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The High Court has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday on a writ petition challenging the validity of an official directive issued under the signature of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner. The directive requires prior approval from higher authorities before arresting any accused individuals in cases related to the anti-discrimination student movement. The order was passed on Monday, April 21, by a High Court bench comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Shikdar Mahmudur Razi. Senior lawyer Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajol presented the petition in court. The writ was filed a day earlier, on April 20, by Supreme Court lawyer Md. Jasim Uddin, challenging the legality of the DMP directive. According to the DMP’s circular issued on April 9, in most cases related to the anti-discrimination student movement, the number of named accused is high. Therefore, arresting any named or subsequently identified accused must be based on sufficient evidence—such as victim or witness statements, relevant video/audio or photo documentation, and call detail records (CDRs)—and must receive prior approval from senior authorities. The directive strictly prohibits arresting any accused in these cases without such approval.
