Allegation against law enforcers: HC asks why no independent commission

The High Court today issued a rule asking the government to explain in three weeks why it should not be directed to constitute a commission titled "independent police complaint investigation commission" to probe allegations against law enforcers for committing crimes.

Secretaries concerned of ministries of home and law and inspector general of police have been made respondents to the rule.

The HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Md Kamrul Hossain Mollah issued the rule following a writ petition that sought its directive on the government to constitute an independent commission to probe allegations against law enforcers for committing crimes.

During hearing, Attorney General AM Amin Uddin opposed the writ petition saying that there is a complaint cell under the inspector general of police (IGP) for investigating allegations and taking action against law enforcers for committing crimes.

Writ petitioners' counsel Mohammad Shishir Manir told the HC that the complaint cell under the IGP is an internal body which has no independence.     

One hundred and two Supreme Court lawyers have collectively filed the writ petition with the HC on February 28 this year seeking necessary directives.

Citing the petition, their lawyer Shishir Manir told The Daily Star that 589 incidents of such offences have reportedly taken place in between January 2017 and December 2020.

Since law enforcers conduct their own inquiries into allegations against them, the probes are not done fairly and neutrally, he said.