Cops’ power to bar gatherings challenged at HC

A writ petition has been filed with the High Court challenging the rules that allow police to prohibit assemblies and processions as well as give law enforcers impunity from liabilities of any damage.

Supreme Court lawyers Abdul Momen Chowdhury and KM Zabir, Chandpur court's lawyer Salim Akbar, and Dhaka residents Shah Nuruzzaman and Mohammad Yasin collectively submitted the petition as a public interest litigation to the HC on October 20, saying that two sections 29 and 105 of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1976 are contradictory to the constitution.The two sections grant law enforcers these privileges.

In the petition, they said that sections 29 and 105 are against article 37 of constitution, which ensures freedom of assembly.

Article 37 says, "Every citizen shall have the right to assemble and to participate in public meetings and processions peacefully and without arms, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interests of public order or public health."

After a brief hearing on the petition, the HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo yesterday fixed today for further hearing.

Lawyer Abdul Momen Chowdhury argued for the petitioners, while Deputy Attorney General Arobinda Kumar Roy represented the state during yesterday's hearing.