HC contempt rule against eight govt officials

The High Court (HC) yesterday issued a contempt rule against eight government high officials including four secretaries, for not complying with its directive over extending the service period of a freedom fighter.

In the rule, the court asked the officials to explain in four weeks why contempt proceedings should not be brought against them for not implementing the order.

The eight officials are secretaries to the ministries of liberation war affairs, public administration, finance and relief and disaster management; director general of the department of disaster management; director general of Jatiyo Muktijuddha Command Council; deputy commissioner of Mymensingh, and its disaster relief and rehabilitation officer.

The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Shahidul Karim issued the rule following a contempt of court petition filed by freedom fighter Sirajul Islam Siddique.

Earlier on May 24. the HC directed the government to extend Sirajul's services as a project implementation officer at Muktagacha upazila in Mymensingh for another year and to provide him relevant facilities, said Barrister ABM Altaf Hossain, the petitioner's lawyer. 

Despite the order, Mymensingh's Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Mohammad Hossain on May 31 issued a circular transferring the responsibility to Abdul Based, in place of Sirajul Islam Siddique.

“This is a violation of the May 24 HC directive and suffices as a contempt of court,” the lawyer said.