ASK slams police directive on re-arrest after bail

Rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) yesterday expressed concern over a reported police directive instructing field officers to re-arrest leaders and activists of a banned political party in other cases after they secure bail.

In a statement, ASK said media reports indicated that officials at the Rajshahi Range of the Bangladesh Police had issued a written instruction allowing individuals released on bail to be “shown arrested” in separate cases, depending on the circumstances, including their perceived capacity to reorganise the party.

The rights body said such measures, if implemented, would contravene the rule of law and fundamental rights.

According to the reports cited by ASK, the directive stated that individuals freed on bail could be shown arrested again based on their “capacity to strengthen or reorganise the party”.

The rights group questioned the legal basis and accountability framework under which such instructions were issued, saying this remained unclear.

However, re-arresting individuals in a planned manner based on presumption or with the intent to harass would be contrary to legal and democratic norms, it added.

ASK said citizens are entitled to liberty, justice, and equal protection of the law. While legal action is warranted where allegations exist, no authority may use the law to harass individuals for ulterior motives, it added.

ASK demanded disclosure of the legal basis of the directive, a review of related orders and procedures, and steps to ensure compliance with constitutional and international human rights standards.

It also called for an end to unlawful arrests, harassment, and the practice of “shown arrest.”