The High Court today summoned the social welfare secretary to appear before it on October 29 for giving an explanation why the government has not amended the Children Act, 2013 as there is ambiguity in holding trial of an adult accused in a case filed under this law.

The court also asked the social welfare secretary to submit a report on the progress for amending the law to it on October 29.

Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Shahidul Karim came up with the order during hearing a rule earlier issued asking the government to explain why a contempt of court rule should not be issued against it for not complying with its previous order

Under the Children Act, 2013, only the child court is empowered to hold trial of the offence if a child is a victim or witness of the case. But, there is no specific mention in this law as to which court will hold the trial if an adult person is accused in a case under this law.

Earlier on August 14 last year during hearing four bail petitions, the HC had ordered secretaries to the law and justice and legislative and parliamentary affairs divisions of the law ministry, and the social welfare ministry to explain the “ambiguity” in the Children Act, 2013 regarding holding trial of an adult accused in a case filed under this law.

As they did not make any explanation, the HC on October 31 last year asked the three secretaries of the government to explain in three weeks why a contempt of court rule should not be issued against them for not complying with its previous [August 14 last year] order.

As the secretaries did not respond to the order, the HC today issued the summons order against the social welfare secretary.