HC questions arrest of 872 hotel, restaurant workers in raids

The High Court has asked the government to explain why the arrests of 872 workers during raids on hotels and restaurants in the capital following the deadly Bailey Road fire should not be deemed illegal.

The inspector general of police has been instructed to provide the court with a comprehensive list of the workers arrested in the raids within the next 30 days.

Secretaries to the home, labour, employment, and law ministries, as well as the inspector general of police, have been asked to respond to the rule within four weeks.

The HC bench, comprised of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Atabullah, issued the order following a writ petition.

Barrister Masud Reza Sobhan and Barrister Fatema S Chowdhury represented the writ petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General Tushar Kanti Roy represented the state.

Earlier on Monday, the two barristers jointly filed the writ petition in the public interest.

Barrister Sobhan stated that, according to media reports, law enforcers have arrested at least 800 workers.

"However, these workers do not own any buildings or restaurants. They are simply employees who used to receive a salary of Tk10,000 to Tk15,000 per month. They are innocent and were unlawfully detained and held with other inmates in jail. That is why we have filed a writ challenging the legality of their arrests," he explained.

He further emphasised that the arrested individuals are not responsible for the incident and have migrated to Dhaka from various parts of the country to earn a livelihood.

"Yet, the police unlawfully arrested them, while the home ministry, law ministry, and other relevant authorities remained silent. The main regulatory authority, Rajuk, has not faced any action. We demand necessary action against the main culprits and the release of the employees," he added.

On 29 February, 46 people were killed in a devastating fire at Green Cozy Cottage building on Bailey Road in the capital. Since then, Dhaka Metropolitan Police has been conducting drives in various restaurants.

A total of 872 people have been arrested, and 20 cases have been filed so far during these drives. Disciplinary action was taken in 887 cases.