The security services division secretary of home ministry and the inspector general of prisons have tendered an unconditional apology to the apex court for not complying with its order.
Secretary Md Abdullah Al Masud Chowdhury and IG Prisons Brig Gen ASM Anisul Haque apologised to the Supreme Court's six-member appellate division bench headed by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan on Monday.
However, the officials of the ministry were exempted from personal appearance as they assured the apex court of fully executing the court order immediately.
The court fixed 04 February 2024 for further order on the issue. Earlier on November 20, the Appellate Division summoned the officials to explain over non-compliance with a verdict to give promotion to six prison officials.
The officials were asked to appear in the apex court on December 04.
The court passed the order after hearing five separate contempt-of-court petitions filed with the Appellate Division against them on September 27.
According to case documents, following a review petition, the court delivered its verdict on 07 April 2022, asking the authorities concerned to give promotion to the officials in question.
The verdict asked the respondents to immediately consider the promotion of the officials in line with the 'Officers and Staff (Department of Prisons) Recruitment Rules 1984'. Since the order was not carried out, five promotion aspirants, including Md Nurunnabi Bhuiyan, filed contempt-of-court petitions.
Citing a decision of the prisons authorities, their lawyer said there was no opportunity to consider the retrospective promotion of the officials at this stage pursuant to the Recruitment Rules 1984. After hearing on November 20, the apex court summoned the officials to be present to place their explanation regarding the issue.
Lawyer Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, who stood for petitioners, said, "They (ministry officials) appeared in court today (Monday), tendered an unconditional apology to the court and assured it of executing the order in full by February 04."
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