Narayanganj DC gave careless report on teacher’s assault: HC 

The High Court has asked the Narayanganj district administration to file a ‘more specific’ report on the harassment of teacher Shyamal Kanti Bhakta. 

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 29 May 2016, 11:59 AM
Updated : 29 May 2016, 04:21 PM

Justices Moinul Islam Chowdhury and Md Iqbal Kabir gave the order on Sunday, terming unsatisfactory the reports submitted by the district’s deputy commissioner (DC), superintendent of police (SP) and Bandar Police Station OC.

“Tell the DC and others to not file careless reports. Reports like this will not be accepted next time. If necessary, action will be taken without hesitation,” the court said addressing the State.

The authorities were told to report on measures they took to follow the order when the matter comes up in court on Jun 9.

"The compliance by the DC shows how the district administration has failed to inform the court on the taking of legal measures in keeping with the High Court’s instructions. This kind of mentality is not acceptable," the court said.

The DC, being district magistrate, is responsible for the law and order, the judges said.   

The head teacher of Piyar Sattar Latif High School, Bhakta was recently assaulted by a mob and made to do sit-ups holding his ears in the presence of local MP Salim Osman over an allegation that he had criticised Islam.

The nature of his assault created a huge shock but the school’s managing committee sacked the Hindu teacher. But the education ministry reinstated Bhakta and dissolved the school’s committee for violating rules.

A government inquiry into the incident on May 13 found inconsistencies in the statements made by the school student who accused Bhakta of hurting his religious sentiments.

On May 18, the High Court issued a suo moto rule along with an interim order asking authorities to report to it, within three days, about legal measures taken against those involved in humiliating Bhakta, including MP Salim Osman.

Following the order, the education ministry’s inquiry committee submitted its findings to the Attorney General’s Office on May 26.

The findings, along with the reports filed by the DC, SP and Bandar police OC, were presented before the court by Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Motahar Hossain Saju on Sunday.

Lawyers MK Rahman and Mohsin Rashid, who had presented news reports on Bhakta’s shaming to the court before it issued the suo moto order, were also present.

The DC’s report said a committee was formed to investigate the incident with the district’s education officer as its head but its activities were put on hold after the education ministry formed another probe committee, empowering it with greater authority.

A general diary was filed with Bandar police on the day of the incident and the investigation is continuing. The issue will be raised in court on Jun 5.

DAG Motahar Hossain said the police headquarters had been asked to file another report within five days following an inquiry but he was yet to receive it.