The High Court yesterday summoned Additional Deputy Commissioner (general) of Laxmipur Sheikh Murshidul Islam and Executive Magistrate Nuruzzaman over an incident of punishing a former acting civil surgeon through a mobile court.

The two have to appear before the HC on December 13 and explain their roles in connection with the incident.

A mobile court conducted by Executive Magistrate Nuruzzaman sent Salahuddin Sharif, a former acting civil surgeon of Laxmipur, to three months in jail after a brawl between Salahuddin and Murshidul on Monday.

A Laxmipur court granted bail to Salahuddin.

Meanwhile, ADC Murshidul was made an officer on special duty yesterday, adds UNB.

In a circular, the public administration ministry said he has been attached to the ministry. 

Yesterday, the HC also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why the action of the executive magistrate "abusing the process of the mobile court for personal grudge as evident from the news of The Daily Star" should not be declared illegal. 

Secretaries to the ministries of law, public administration, the deputy commissioner of Laxmipur, ADC Murshidul and Executive Magistrate Nuruzzaman, the Laxmipur Sadar upazila nirbahi officer and the civil surgeon of the district have been made respondents. 

The bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Mohammad Ullah came up with the order and rule following a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Hassan MS Azim seeking necessary order based on a report published in this newspaper yesterday.

The court also asked Salahuddin to be present before it during the proceedings on December 13. 

Hassan told this correspondent that the HC said similar incidents had happened before.

The executive magistrates had a high-handed attitude in the past and therefore, an example should be set so that the rule of law can be upheld, he said.

The executive magistrates should be made accountable to the law and answerable to this court (HC) to uphold the rule of law, he added.

ABM Altaf Hossain appeared for the petitioner.

SALAHUDDIN GETS BAIL

Our Noakhali correspondent reports: Additional District Magistrate Meer Shawkat Hossain yesterday granted bail to physician Salahuddin.

In a meeting at the civil surgeon's office on Monday night, doctors of Laxmipur Sadar Hospital threatened to go for a movement, including work abstention, if Salahuddin was not released by yesterday noon.   

Witnesses and officials said ADC Murshidul and Salahuddin engaged in an argument at Kakoli Kindergarten School in the town, where they went to pick up their son and grandson yesterday morning.

The argument started over why one of them did not let the other pass through the narrow entrance of the school first. At one stage, they were locked in a scuffle.

A mobile court conducted by Executive Magistrate Nuruzzaman at deputy commissioner's office later sent Salahuddin to jail.

In another development, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammed Nasim yesterday termed the incident of sending Salahuddin to jail unfortunate.

Nasim was speaking as the chief guest at the concluding programme of burn and plastic surgery camp at Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Memorial KPJ Specialised Hospital and Nursing College in Gazipur, reports BSS.