Dhaka – The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Sunday extended the stay on the High Court order to reopen Lakehead Grammar School in the capital for another 10 days.However, as indicated by the court the prosecution can proceed with a plea seeking permission for hearing an appeal. Earlier, an apex court order stayed its Chamber Judge’s order that halted a High Court decision asking the authorities concerned to reopen the Dhanmondi and Gulshan branches of the school in 24 hours.
On November 6, the education ministry ordered the district administration to shut the school, on the charges of patronising extremism and militancy.
The following day, a police team led by a magistrate closed down the school’s branches in Dhanmondi and Gulshan.
The five-member appeal bench led acting Chief Justice Abdul Wahhab Miah also ordered authorities to probe allegations of links to the militancy of the school administration and update the court by November 30, when the next hearing will be held. During the proceedings of yesterday, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam submitted a government note before the court containing allegations against the school over militancy and extremism.
Meanwhile, an official at the education ministry told newsmen that the government investigated some directors and teachers of the school receiving complaints about their connection with militancy. The investigators found the allegations true, the official said, requesting anonymity as he was not allowed to talk to the media over the issue. ‘Some people involved with the school have been detained by the police,’ the official said.
One of the owners of the school and several parents moved the High Court against the government’s decision filing three separate petitions and secured a decision in their favour. – Special Correspondent
