Writ seeks independent probe into firing of ACC officer
Ten lawyers of the Supreme Court filed the writ with the HC bench concerned on Wednesday (23 February) seeking fair investigation into the termination of the ACC official and the ACC's statement about him
A group of Supreme Court lawyers, aggrieved at the firing of Anti-Corruption Corruption (ACC) official Sharif Uddin, filed a writ petition seeking an independent enquiry into the issues that led to his dismissal.
Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir and nine other lawyers filed the plea with the High Court on Wednesday.
The High Court bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman is likely to hold a hearing on the petition later, Shishir Monir told the media.
He said their petition sought a court order for an independent enquiry to bring liable persons to book, and thus uphold the "independent, impartial and autonomous" image of the ACC in the context of the allegations that led to the sacking of Sharif Uddin.
Responding to a letter from the lawyers, on 22 February the High Court bench suggested they submit a writ petition instead.
In their 20 February letter, the lawyers pleaded to the court to look into the matter of the firing and sought appropriate action against the ACC's order.
On 16 February, the ACC sacked its deputy assistant director Sharif, who was reportedly targeted by some ACC officials who invoked clause 54 (2) of Anti-Corruption Commission Employees (Service) Rules 2008, for Sharif's actions in Chattogram.
The provision empowers the commission to fire any of its employees at anytime, without assigning any reason.
The next day, ACC officials for the first time in the organisation's history, staged a demonstration protesting the termination of Sharif Uddin.