High Court for reasonable punishment in cases of hurting religious sentiments

The High Court has issued a rule asking why an order should not be given to formulate a provision for reasonable punishment in cases of hurting religious sentiments.

The High Court bench of Justice Fahmida Quder and Justice Asif Hasan issued the rule on Tuesday (December 2).

The law secretary, the cabinet secretary, and other concerned officials have been asked to respond to the rule within four weeks.

Earlier on November 30, a Supreme Court lawyer has filed the writ petition with the High Court seeking directions to introduce the death penalty as the maximum punishment in cases filed over hurting religious sentiments.

The petition was submitted to the relevant High Court branch by Supreme Court lawyer Md Golam Kibria.

The law secretary, the cabinet secretary, and other concerned officials have been made respondents to the writ.

Advocate Golam Kibria said permission to have the writ heard was taken from the High Court bench of Justice Fahmida Quder and Justice Asif Hasan.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Advocate Golam Kibria said that under the Bangladesh Penal Code, the current maximum punishment for cases related to hurting religious sentiments is two years' imprisonment. The new Cyber Security Act also maintains a maximum penalty of two years.

"We believe this punishment is insufficient. As a result, many people, like Baul singer Abul Sarkar, feel emboldened to make derogatory or offensive remarks about religious matters," he said.

"In the writ, we have sought directions to enact a law prescribing the maximum punishment for offences involving hurting religious sentiments. If such a provision is introduced, no one will dare to commit this offence," said Golam Kibria.