High Court issues rule asking why ACC briefings about Asif Mahmud should not be declared illegal

The High Court issued a rule asking why the ACC's press briefings about Asif Mahmud should not be declared illegal, according to reports in Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, The Business Standard, Jagonews24 and Jugantor. The bench of Justice Md Bashir Ullah and Justice Md Hamidur Rahman issued the rule on Wednesday, 11 November, as Prothom Alo, The Daily Star and The Business Standard noted.

Asif Mahmud filed a writ petition in September challenging the legality of the ACC briefings, according to Prothom Alo, The Daily Star and The Business Standard.

According to Prothom Alo, the ACC's deputy director and assistant director gave two press briefings on 2 and 13 September.

Prothom Alo and The Business Standard reported that, after deciding to start an inquiry into corruption and money laundering allegations, the briefings said 'preliminary truth was found'.

Prothom Alo reported that the rule asks why the briefings should not be declared without legal authority for violating Article 31 of the Constitution and the 2011 information disclosure policy.

Prothom Alo and The Business Standard wrote that the rule also asks why the ACC should not be restrained from press briefings on matters under ongoing inquiry or investigation.

The Business Standard reported that the High Court also asked why dissemination of such statements by the media should not be declared illegal.

Prothom Alo reported that the ACC chairman, the deputy director and PR officer, and the assistant director were asked to respond to the rule. According to Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, the time to respond is 4.

Prothom Alo and The Business Standard said hearings on the writ concluded on 4 November, with 11 November fixed for the order. The petitioner's lawyers included Mohammad Hossain, Yusuf Ali and Zahirul Islam Musa, while Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman Khan represented the ACC.