Issuing restrictions on seven former and current high officials of Rab by the United States from entering that country is "unfortunate", said Law Minister Anisul Huq yesterday.

The allegation on which the US issued the restrictions is "imaginary", he added.

The law minister was replying to queries from journalists after attending a meeting on the occasion of the inauguration of the 26th judicial administration training course for district and sessions judges and metropolitan sessions judges in Dhaka.

Judicial Administration Training Institute (JATI) organised the programme at its auditorium with its Director General Justice Bazmun Ara Sultana in the chair. Law Secretary Md Golam Sarwar also spoke to the occasion.

Replying to another query, Anisul Huq told reporters that there was no extrajudicial killing in Bangladesh.

About the application for allowing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for treatment, Anisul Huq said, "Wait and see".

Replying to another question, the law minister said a new chief justice will be appointed when it will be necessary. "I don't know who will be the next chief justice," he said.

Current Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain will retire on December 31.

Although the minister said there were no extrajudicial killings, rights bodies have long been alleging that the law enforcers are killing people extra-judicially in the name of "shootout", "crossfire" and "gunfight".

At least 1,125 persons were killed in so-called "shootouts" involving police, Rab and other forces in the last five years till November this year, according to Ain o Salish Kendra, a rights body that counted the figure based on media reports.

JATI Director General Justice Bazmun Ara Sultana was in the chair in the programme where Law Secretary Md Golam Sarwar also spoke.

Earlier in the day, Law Minister Anisul Huq told the meeting that the district judges are in the leading position of subordinate judiciary and therefore, they must set an example of ensuring justice for the people.

He appreciated the judges for their judicial performance through the virtual system during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic saying that 3.23 lakh cases have been disposed of during this period.