Why use of pepper spray not illegal, HC asks govt

Dhaka, Jan 21 (risingbd24.com)--The High Court on Monday issued a rule upon the government why the law enforcers action on agitating people using pepper spray should not be declared illegal.

In the rule, the court also asked the government to explain in three weeks why it should not be directed to stop the use of pepper spray on demonstrating people.

The HC bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Zafar Ahmed came up with the rule following a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Eunus Ali Akand.

The home secretary, inspector general of police and commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has been made respondents to the rule.

Eunus filed the petition on Sunday seeking HC directives on the government to take steps immediately so that the law enforcers were not allowed to use pepper spray on the people during any type of demonstration.

In the writ petition, Eunus also mentioned that the practice is a violation of people`s basic and constitutional rights.

On Sunday, another SC lawyer Aklas Uddin Bhuiyan also submitted a separate writ petition seeking HC directives on the same issue.

The court may hear this petition Tuesday.