4 secretaries face contempt of court rule

The High Court on Tuesday issued a contempt of court rule against eight people, including four secretaries, for not complying with its earlier order to extend the service period of a freedom fighter public servant by one year.

An HC bench of justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and justice Shahidul Karim issued the rule following a petition.

The HC also stayed a notice issued replacing project implementation officer (PIO) Sirajul Islam Siddique of Muktagachha upazila in Mymensingh.

Liberation war affairs, public administration, finance and disaster management secretaries, director general of Jatiya Muktijoddha Council, Mymensingh deputy commissioner and relief and rehabilitation officer have been made respondents to the rule.

Lawyer ABM Altaf Hossain and lawyer ARM Quamruzzaman Kakon stood for the petitioner while deputy attorney general Amit Talukder represented the state.

Altaf Hossain said Sirajul Islam Siddique is a freedom fighter and he is supposed to enjoy all the facilities kept aside for freedom fighters.

But the authorities concerned did not issue any notification extending his service period from 60 to 61 years along with other facilities.

Later, Sirajul filed a writ petition with the HC and following the writ petition, the HC bench on 24 May last ordered extension of his service tenure from 60 to 61 years and provide other facilities to him.

However, the government replaced him with Phulbaria upazila PIO on 30 May which is a violation of the High Court order.

Following his removal, Sirajul filed a petition bringing a contempt of court charge.