Staff Reporter :
The High Court on Thursday asked the executive magistrates to be more careful about conducting mobile courts. It also observed that the mobile courts should be conducted on the spot, not sitting in the office.
The High Court also ordered the authorities concerned of the government to impart proper training to the executive magistrates across the country about the relative laws.
A High Court Bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Jusice Md Mostafizur Rahman passed the order after holding hearing on a petition filed in this regard.
The High Court at the same time asked the additional district magistrate (ADM) of Netrakona to dispose of the petition filed for seeking apology by Sultana Razia, executive magistrate of Atpara upazila of the district, who recently sentenced two minors to one month’s imprisonment for getting married before legal age.
Earlier on Septemebr 1, the executive magistrate submitted an application with the High Court admitting her mistake. She also sought apology from the High Court on a promise that such mistake would not take place again in the future.
Sultana Razia, Executive Magistrate of Atpara upazila in Netrakona, on August 1 this year sentenced two minors to one month’s imprisonment for getting married before legal age conducting a mobile court sitting in her office.
When the news was published in the media, Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Shishir Manir brought it to the notice of the court on August 5. His application raised questions about the jurisdiction of the mobile court to punish the children, as well as sought the immediate release of the two convicted children.
In that afternoon, the High Court Bench headed by Justice M Enayetur Rahim ordered to release of the two children.
Mohammad Saifur Rahman, a spokesperson for the Supreme Court and a special officer in the High Court Division, told that the Netrokona district administration had already released the two children considering an appeal petition.
In that order the High Court Bench also asked the authorities concerned to submit a copy of the explanation from executive magistrate Sultana Razia about her action in this court.
Additional district magistrate of Netrokona also issued a show cause notice upon executive magistrate Sultana Razia. The explanation which she will give in response to this notice had also been asked to be submitted by the state to the High Court by August 26.
Complying with the High Court’s earlier order the explanation was submitted in the court. After holding hearing on the explanation the HC disposed the matter with some observation.
