No prior permission needed to arrest accused in anti-discrimination cases

The Chamber Court of Bangladesh's Appellate Division has upheld a High Court order stating that no prior approval from higher authorities is needed to arrest accused individuals in cases related to the anti-discrimination movement.

On Wednesday (7 May), Chamber Judge Justice Md Rezaul Haque issued a 'no order' ruling on the state’s appeal and scheduled a full hearing by the regular bench of the Appellate Division for 15 May.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) issued a circular earlier, on 9 April stating that most anti-discrimination cases have many named accused. It instructed that arrests should only be made with proper evidence and prior approval from higher authorities. Arrests without such permission were prohibited.

Supreme Court lawyer Md Jasim Uddin challenged this DMP order by filing a writ petition in the High Court on 23 April. Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajal argued the case on his behalf.