The High Court today issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain in four weeks why union parishad chairmen and members, ward councilors of city corporations and municipalities will not be held responsible for the child marriage in their respective areas.

In the rule, the court also asked the respondents to show causes why appropriate action should not be taken against them (union parishad chairmen and members and ward councilors of city corporations and municipalities) and why they should not be terminated if child marriage takes place in their areas.

Secretaries to the ministries of public administration, local government, rural development and cooperatives, law, home, women and children affairs, and social welfare have been made respondents to the rule.

The HC also ordered the public administration and women and child affairs secretaries to send the copy of its order to the deputy commissioners and upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) across the country.

The bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Mohammad Ullah came up with the rule and order on a suomoto (voluntary) move following a report published on the daily Prothom Alo on October 29 under a headline “24 Ghontay 8 Balya Bibaho Bondho (eight child marriages prevented in 24 hours).

During passing the order, the court said it is not acceptable that the people’s representatives cannot play role in stopping child marriage.