It also asked the government to explain within three weeks why its inaction and failure to protect the religious minorities and their properties should not be declared illegal.

The rule came following a writ petition filed as public interest litigation by Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities President Advocate Rabindra Ghosh and Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh Executive President Advocate Manzil Murshid.

The respondents of the rule are home secretary, cabinet secretary, inspector general of police (IGP) and additional IGP (administration).

In the rule the HC asked the respondents to explain why they should not be directed to perform their duties as per constitution.

The writ petition was filed on Sunday alleging failure of the authorities concerned in taking proper action against those who had tortured the religious minorities after the 2001 elections.

The petitioners submitted that at least 15,000 incidents of killings, rapes and tortures on the minorities, grabbing of their lands and arson attacks on their houses took place since the elections held on October 1, 2001.

Advocate Manzil Murshid moved for the petitioners while Advocate Rabindra Ghosh, Advocate Asaduzzaman Siddique, Advocate Jagadish Chandra Sarker and Advocate Dulal Choudhury assisted him. Additional attorney general was present for the state.