The High Court today questioned the legality of the freedom fighters’ minimum age, 13 years, fixed by the government last year.

It issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government to explain why the gazette notification issued to this effect should not be declared illegal.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs issued the gazette on November 10 last year imposing the minimum age of freedom fighters at 13 years as on March 27, 1971.

The High Court bench of Justice Quazi Reza-ul Hoque and Justice Mohammad Ullah came up with the rule following a writ filed by Khondoker Shahidul Islam, challenging its legality.

The chief accounts officer of president’s office, Shahidul recently submitted the petition saying he is a freedom fighter and that he has been receiving honorium of freedom fighter for last five years.

He said his age was 12 year, 2 months and 21 days as on March 27, 1971, and that the gazette that affected him stands against the spirit of the Liberation War.