Bangladesh SC upholds stay on judicial inquiry on attack on Hindus

The Supreme Court (SC)  of Bangladesh on Sunday upheld the stay on the order of the High Court for a judicial inquiry into the incidents of attack on Hindus during the Durga Puja in October last year. Earlier on Dec. The SC however ordered the HC to dispose of the public interest litigation on the issue within three months. Earlier, on 21 December last year,  the Chamber judge of the appellate division of the SC had ordered a stay on the High Court order for judicial inquiry into incidents of attack on Hindu houses and property and places of worship across six districts of Bangladesh. 

High Court bench of Justice Kamrul Hasan Mollah on Oct 28 last year had ordered a judicial inquiry in the incidents of  attacks on Hindu houses, property and temples at several places in the country. It had directed Chief Judicial Magistrates of Rangpur, Comilla, Chittagong, Feni, Chandpur and Noakhali to investigate the incident and submit a report to the court within two months. It had also issued a rule asking why the incaction of the local administration in providing security to the Hindu community should not be declared illegal. Subsequently, the government had filed a petition seeking stay on the judicial inquiry ordered by the High Court.
In the month of October last year widespread attacks took place on the houses and property of Hindus and their places of worship during Durga Puja after an incident of desecration of the religious book at a Puja pandal in Comilla. At least 8 people were killed during the incidents including those killed in police firing. Over 600 people were arrested and more than 120 cases registered in connection with these incidents last year.