PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (PIL)

Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association (BNWLA)

1. Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs
2. Inspector General of Police
3. Commissioner of Police
4. Deputy Commissioner of  Police
5. Assistant Commissioner of Police
6. Officer in charge of Ramna Police Station
7.  Vice-Chancellor, University of Dhaka
8. Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Dhaka and Chairman of Enquiry Committee
9. Treasurer, University of Dhaka
10. Mr. Prof. A.T. Nurun Nabi, Proctor, University of Dhaka

A petition was filed after a girl was sexually assaulted on the campus of Dhaka University at TSC on 31.12.1999. The lady was passing through TSC with two companions when a group of about 20-25 male students and non-students of the University, chased her and tore her dress outraging her modesty, and molested her while the law enforcement officers silently watched the incident. At one point she lost her consciousness and her companions were beaten and separated from her. Afterwards, the police lifted the victim in the police van. Newspapers Manabjomin and Inquilab published the news the next day with photographs of the victim in their newspapers.

Immediately after the occurrence, Mr. Nikunga Behari Nath, a joint Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, was brutally murdered on the morning of 11.01.2000 within the area of Dhaka University campus at the hand of hijackers.

The High Court issued  a Rule Nisi upon the Respondents to show cause as to why the respondents should not be directed to take steps according to law to eradicate anti-social activities and improve law and order situation prevailing in Dhaka, particularly within the campus of Dhaka University and its adjoining area to protect ordinary citizen and women in particular, and why Respondent  Nos. 1-6 should not be directed to take necessary action against the persons who were engaged to maintain law and order in the Dhaka University Campus in the small hours of 1 January 2000 and early morning 11 January, 2000 and why Respondent Nos. 7-10 to should not be directed to take appropriate action against the miscreants alleged to be students of Dhaka University.

Mr. Justice Khandker Mahmud-ul- Hasan

Mr. Justice Khademul Islam Chowdhury