The High Court (HC) has ordered the home ministry and Bangladesh police chief to formulate a guideline how much information law enforcers can disclose to the media while the investigation for a case is ongoing.
The bench of justices M Enyaetur Rahim and Mostafizur Rahman gave the order on Thursday (Aug 29), when it granted bail to Ayesha Siddiqa Minni, the wife of Barguna’s Rifat Sharif who was hacked to death in broad daylight.
The court’s order was prompted by a statement by Barguna superintendent of police to the media that Minni has confessed to her involvement in the murder during interrogation.
The judges described it as uncalled for and that it violated the condition for a fair investigation.
“The court is refraining from reaching a verdict as the investigation is ongoing but hopes that the inspector general of police will take necessary steps in due time,” the court said.
It observed that law enforcers including Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) parade suspects in front of the media without any guideline which has raised questions among people and some disclose the information "out of over-enthusiasm."
The court said that until the charges against an individual is proven they are not guilty and shouldn’t be referred to as such.
“Hence the inspector general of police and home ministry are being ordered to formulate a guideline on how much information about a suspect can be disclosed to the media.”
The court then granted Minni bail on the condition that she is to stay in her father’s custody and not speak to the media.
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