DHAKA:  The High Court has asked the authorities concerned to explain within one week what actions were taken against the people involved in human trafficking over the deaths of 37 Bangladeshis in the Mediterranean Sea.

The HC bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Qader on Monday (June 24) gave a verbal order to the state, keeping the writ petition stand over (pending) for a week.

Deputy Attorney General ABM Abdullah Al Mahmood moved for the state and Supreme Court lawyer Emdadul Haque stood on behalf of the petitioner.

Deputy Attorney General ABM Abdullah Al Mahmood said: “The bench also asked to explain whether the persons or the organizations of Sylhet and Noakhali involved in this work have license or not as well as what legal action has been taken against them.”

Earlier, a writ petition was filed with the High Court seeking its directive upon the authorities concerned to give Tk one crore to each family of the 37 victims. 

The writ also sought appropriate action against the travel agencies and fraud human traffickers who are responsible for the death of 37 Bangladeshis on the way to Italy from Libya on May 9.

Supreme Court lawyer Emdadul Haque filed the petition to the same HC bench on Sunday (June 16).

Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary, Expatriate Welfare Secretary, Law Secretary, Inspector General of Police, Superintend of Police (SP) of Sylhet and Noakhali were made respondents to the writ.

BDST: 1657 HRS, JUNE 24, 2019

AH/RS/SMS