Sultana’s death: They must act to protect rights, liberty of people

Ordering the formation of a committee to probe the detention of Sultana Jasmine by Rab, the High Court yesterday said law enforcers must act to protect the people's fundamental rights and personal liberty.

The constitution, which is the supreme law of the country, has guaranteed "right to protection of law"; "protection of right to life and personal liberty"; and "safeguards as to arrest and detention", said the bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Muhammad Mahbub Ul Islam.

These fundamental rights of the citizens cannot be breached in any manner, it said.

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How did Sultana Jasmine die?

The bench made the observations during the hearing on a writ petition that challenged the legality of Rab picking up Sultana of Naogaon when she was not accused in any case.

Sultana, 41, an office assistant of Naogaon's Chandipur union land office, died on March 24, two days after she was detained by some Rab officials on her way to work.

The HC yesterday directed the cabinet secretary to form a high-powered committee, including a district judge and chief judicial magistrate of Naogaon, to probe the detention of Sultana, her death, and other relevant issues.

The court also ordered the government to remove the Rab officials who were involved in the picking up of Sultana and to attach them to the Rab headquarters.

The probe committee was asked to submit the report to the court within 60 days.

The court also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain as to why Sultana's detention by Rab officials without any case should not be declared illegal and unconstitutional.

In the rule, the court asked officials concerned why they should not be directed to take action against the Rab personnel who picked up Sultana.

The HC bench issued the order and rule following a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Manoj Kumar Bhowmick.

He filed the petition on March 28 seeking HC directive on the government to form a committee led by a retired judge of the court to probe the incident mentioned in the March 27 report of The Daily Star headlined "Sued under DSA: Woman dies in Rab custody".

Attorney General AM Amin Uddin vehemently opposed the  petition, saying that the petition was not acceptable as the government has taken action.