High Court Orders Probe into Shrine Attacks
The High Court has ordered an investigation into alleged attacks on shrines and khanqahs. Graphic: Agamir Somoy
The High Court has ordered an investigation into allegations of attacks on Bauls, Fakirs, Sannyasis, Shrines, and Sufi spiritual centers (khanqahs), directing authorities to identify those responsible and submit an investigation report to the court.
The directive was issued to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), and the Additional Inspector General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The order was passed on June 21 by a High Court bench comprising Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury after a preliminary hearing on a writ petition. The court instructed the authorities to submit the investigation report within 60 days of receiving the certified copy of the order. According to the petitioners’ lawyer, the certified copy was received on July 1.
The writ petition alleged that Bauls, Fakirs, Sufi practitioners, and Sannyasis have been subjected to cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment in different parts of the country under the pretext of maintaining social order and carrying out religious ‘reform.’ The petition sought necessary court directives to address the issue.
The petition was filed by 29 individuals, including Naripokkho founding member Shireen Parveen Haque, economist Prof. Anu Muhammad, Baul practitioners, and individuals associated with various shrines.
Advocate Jyotirmoy Barua represented the petitioners during the hearing, while Deputy Attorneys General Jamila Momtaz and Jasidul Islam Jony appeared on behalf of the state.
In its rule, the High Court asked why the authorities’ failure to ensure constitutional protection for Bauls, Fakirs, and Sannyasis—and to protect them from harassment, abuse, and degrading treatment—should not be declared unlawful.
The court also sought explanations as to why authorities should not be directed to bring those responsible for such attacks to justice and take effective measures to prevent future harassment, intimidation, or humiliation of Bauls, Fakirs, and Sannyasis.
The respondents, including the Home Secretary, Religious Affairs Secretary, Cultural Affairs Secretary, the Inspector General of Police, and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner, have been asked to respond to the rule within four weeks.
