Arbitrary Arrest: Hearing on review petition on Feb 9

The Supreme Court yesterday adjourned till February 9 the hearing of a review petition filed by the government challenging its judgement against the arbitrary exercise of power by law enforcers.

In its 2016 judgement, the SC upheld the 2003 High Court verdict, which ruled against exercise of arbitrary power by law enforcers using some provisions of the CrPC, including Section 54.

Section 54 empowers police to arrest anyone on mere suspicion. A seven-member bench headed by Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique passed the order.

In a written argument, Attorney General AM Amin Uddin mentioned some inconsistencies between the SC guidelines and relevant existing laws, said DAG Amit Talukdar without elaborating.

The HC delivered its verdict on April 7, 2003, responding to a  petition filed by some rights organisations, including BLAST and individuals after the death of university student Shamim Reza Rubel in police custody on July 23, 1998.