Dhaka – The High Court Division of the Supreme Court on Sunday asked the government to take necessary steps to within 48 hours for sending the stranded Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice Md Ataur Rahman Khan passed the order yesterday after hearing on a writ petition moved the Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, HRPB.
Their counsel Manzill Murshid said the court instructed the foreign ministry to open talks with Saudi authorities to resolve the visa issue.
Besides, the court issued a rule as to why they would not order the government to form an inquiry panel to take actions against those responsible for the mismanagement in the Hajj schedule.
Secretaries to the religious affairs ministry, the civil aviation ministry and the foreign ministry, and secretary general of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh have been ordered to submit their explanations in four weeks.
As many as 1,27,198 eager pilgrims are expected to perform the holy Hajj this year. However, until Saturday 58,361 pilgrims reached Saudi Arabia. – Special Correspondent
