HC directs to follow warrant of precedence

The High Court (HC) on Wednesday directed the government bodies concerned to continue providing protocol without fail to those who have been extended such privileges as per the warrant of precedence.

The court said it is an imperative direction to the concerned persons, in particular to the Deputy Commissioners and the superintendents of police and others concerned in the metropolitan cities and all other townships, to provide the requisite privileges to all who have been extended such privileges by virtue of the Constitution, warrant of precedence and the laws of this land.

The HC bench of Justice Obaidul Hassan and Justice Mohammad Ali passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed by Supreme Court Advocate Md Shahinur Rahman on Wednesday.

The lawyer filed the petition as some online portals recently published news, under the banner of "Supreme Court judge sought VIP protocol ignoring HC's order", wrongly citing a comment of another HC bench.

The HC bench of Justice F R M Nazmul Ahasan and Justice K M Kamrul Kader on July 31 commented that government officials are merely the servants of the republic, and they are not "very important persons (VIPs)".

Only the President and the Prime Minister of the country are the VVIPs (very, very important persons) and security issues are involved with regard to their movements, said the bench while hearing a writ petition filed in connection with the death of 13-year-old Titash Ghosh.