Rule on six govt officials for raid on house of Evidence editor

The High Court yesterday issued a rule on six government officials, including the Home Secretary, IG, and AIG Police, asking them to explain as to why the recent raid on the residence of the Editor of weekly Evidence and attempt to arrest him without any warrant should not be declared illegal.

The other officials are Superintendent of Police and OCs of Dhanmondi and Mohammadpur police stations.

A High Court Division Bench comprising Justice M Mainur Reza Chowdhury and Justice M A Aziz issued the show cause following a writ petition filed by Manzur Quader, the editor of Evidence, said a press release issued by Maudud Ahmed and Associates law firm.

Barrister Maudud Ahmed who filed the writ petition on behalf of the Evidence editor told the court that police plainclothes along with a group of 'terrorists' attacked the office of the weekly, damaging five rooms, private cars, computers and other valuable properties at night on December 29. The DB police also raided the residence of the editor to arrest him without any warrant of arrest, Barrister Ahmed added.

Following the submission, the court issued a show cause as to why the action of the respondents in raiding the residence and attempting to arrest him without any warrant of arrest shall not be declared illegal, without lawful authority and of no legal effect.

The court also wanted to know as to why the Home Secretary, IGP, AIG and SP shall not be directed to ensure that the petitioner was not illegally harassed and arrested and was secured in his residence against entry, search and seizure by the police.