Writ petition challenges legality of ongoing lockdown

A Supreme Court lawyer today filed a writ petition with the High Court, challenging the legality of ongoing lockdown imposed by the government to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Md Eunus Ali Akond submitted the petition as a public interest litigation to the HC, seeking stay on the lockdown and also seeking its order on the government not to impose any lockdown in the country without any emergency situation.

In the petition, he said that the citizens' fundamental rights including the rights to free movement and access to justice are being violated due to the ongoing lockdown.

People cannot move freely and cannot approach the courts and offices for remedy due to the lockdown, which is contradictory to the constitution, Eunus Ali told The Daily Star citing the writ petition.

The lawyer in the petition prayed to the HC to issue a rule asking the government to show causes why imposing lockdown without any emergency situation should not be declared illegal and unconstitutional.

Eunus Ali said the HC may hold hearing on the petition tomorrow (Monday).