HC orders judicial probe into Narail teacher's humiliation

The High Court on Monday directed the bodies concerned to conduct a judicial probe into the negligence of the respondents in failing to prevent the incident of humiliation of college teacher Swapan Kumar Biswas in Narail by wearing garland of shoes around his neck over a Facebook post.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Narail has been asked to investigate the matter and submit a report to the court within six weeks.

The HC also directed the authorities concerned of the government to provide security and medical facilities to Swapan Kumar and his family members.

The High Court bench of Justice Bhishmadev Chakraborty and Justice S M Maniruzzaman passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed by Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), a rights organization.

The High Court also issued a rule upon the bodies concerned to explain in four weeks as to why the failure or inaction of the respondents in stopping "mob justice" in their presence and protecting people from humiliation in the presence of police and district administration in different places including the incident of humiliation of Swapan Kumar Biswas, acting principal of Mirzapur United College in Narail Sadar, shall not be declared illegal.

Home Secretary, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Deputy Commissioner of Narail, Superintendent of Police in Narail, Officer in Charge of Narail Sadar Police Station have been made respondents in the rule.

Barrister Aneeq R Haque appeared in the court on behalf of the writ petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General Samarendra Nath Biswas represented the state.

Lawyer Purnima Jahan, on behalf of non-government organisation Ain O Salish Kendra filed the writ petition on July 4 this year.

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