HC summons Home Secy for allegedly 'undermining judiciary'

The High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh has stayed the government's state security directive 2025 for three months for allegedly disrespecting the Chief Justice and the judiciary.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi passed the order on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the HC issued a suo motu rule asking the government authorities concerned to explain why the directive should not be declared illegal.

The also court summoned Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Nasimul Gani to appear before the bench on March 18 and explain issuance of the directive.

Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court Mohammad Shishir Manir confirmed the development.

On March 2, lawyer Shishir Manir drew the HC's attention to the state security directive 2025, alleging it undermined all judges, including the Chief Justice.

He argued that the directive placed the Chief Justice below the home secretary and Range DIGs in terms of status although state’s official hierarchy has ensures the Chief Justice's significantly higher position.

During the proceedings, the court observed that crucial decisions of the state are made by the Supreme Court, yet the directive has undermined the institution.