Petition filed in high court seeking enhanced security for judges

A writ petition has been filed with the High Court seeking an order to strengthen security for subordinate court judges across all court premises and residences nationwide.

Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Yunus Ali Akand filed the petition with the relevant branch of the High Court on Sunday, November 16. He said the hearing may take place this week before the bench led by Justice Shikdar Md Mahmudul Hoque Raji.

The writ names as respondents the secretary of the Home Ministry, the secretary of the Law Ministry and other relevant authorities.

On November 13, Limon Mia of Phulchhari in Gaibandha entered the Rajshahi Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Abdur Rahman’s residence at Terkhadia Dabtala area and stabbed and suffocated the judge’s son, Tawseef Rahman, 15, to death. In the same incident, the judge’s wife Tasmin Nahar Lucy, 44, was injured. During the scuffle, Limon Mia was also injured and later admitted to hospital.

On November 14, Judge Abdur Rahman filed a case with Rajpara Police Station, naming Limon as the sole accused. A five-day remand has been granted for him.

The incident brought concerns over judges’ security to the forefront. On November 14, the Bangladesh Judicial Service Association issued a statement demanding action against those responsible for negligence in security and for unprofessional behaviour by presenting the arrested accused before the media. They warned of a pen-down strike from November 16 if their two demands were not fulfilled within 48 hours.

On November 15, after receiving assurances of strengthened security for judges along with adequate security at their residences and during travel, the association withdrew its pen-down programme.