The High Court yesterday issued a rule asking the government to explain why it should not be directed to take steps to ensure security to the witnesses of criminal cases. In response to a writ petition, the HC bench comprising Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore and Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty issued the rule. The petition was filed by Komol Kumar Nath, a prosecution witness of a yaba-related case, seeking necessary directives on the government to ensure security to him and his family and the witnesses of all criminal cases. The HC also directed the police administration to ensure security of Komol and his family members. The petition said that witness of criminal cases were not interested to appear before the court for giving statements due to lack of security. Therefore, the trial proceedings of such cases are hampered and justice seekers are deprived of justice, the petition added.
On March 24, 2011, police recovered a total of 1,175 yaba tablets from the possession of one Ashok Biswas of Chittagong. Later, police filed a case with Kotwali Police Station in Chittagong. Komol gave statement as a prosecution witness before a Chittagong court in August last year against Ashok Biswas. But, Ashok Biswas has been threatening Komol Kumar Nath for giving statement against Ashok, Advocate Chowdhury Shamsul Arifin, counsel for Komol said.