DHAKA: The High Court Sunday issued a rule upon the government to explain within two weeks why it should not be asked to preserve the 30 percent quota fixed for the children of freedom fighters in police Sub-Inspector recruitment.

Eight government high officials have been made respondents. They include Establishment secretary, Law secretary, Home secretary, Inspector-General and Additional Inspector-General of police.

An HC bench comprising justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury and justice Sheikh Md. Zakir Hossain came up with the order in a writ petition filed by seven candidates, also children of freedom fighters, for the post of sub-inspector.

The court set July 25 for next hearing on the petition.

As per the petition, a circular was published in dailies on February 8, 2009 inviting applications for recruitment of police SIs. Finally, 971 candidates were recruited, 192 of them freedom fighters’ children.

For the employment, the government allocated 19 percent posts for the freedom fighters’ children whereas 30 percent quota is preserved for them as per the recruitment rules.
 
Lawyer Sheikh Ali Ahmed Khokon stood for the petitioners and Deputy Attorney-General Nazrul Islam Talukder fought for the state during the hearing.

BDST: 1639 HRS, JULY 11, 2010