Dhaka: The High Court on Monday issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the arrest of four BNP leaders defying the directives of the Appellate Division should not be declared illegal.

The HC bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal issued the rule following a petition filed by BNP Vice-Chariman Major Hafiz Uddin. The HC also fixed August 1 for the next hearing, reports the UNB.

The four BNP leaders are BNP joint secretary general Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal president Shafiul Bari Babu, Chhatra Dal Dhaka north unit president SM Mizanur Rahman and Dhaka north city unit vice president Zakir Hossain Milon.

The HC also issued another rule asking the government to explain as to why directives should not be given against those involved in arresting the four BNP leaders without complying with the order given by the Appellate Division.

Home secretary, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner, deputy commissioner of Ramna zone, additional commissioner of DB north zone, deputy commissioner of south zone, additional deputy commissioner of Ramna zone and seven others have been made respondent to the rule which is returnable in four weeks.

Barrister Moudud Ahmed stood for the petitioner while deputy attorney general Motahar Hossain Saju represented the state.

BNP leader Syeda Asifa Ashrafi Papiya filed a writ petition on March 29.

According to the writ, the four BNP leaders were arrested by plainclothes police from different parts of the city from February 24 to March 8.

On March 12, BNP alleged that Dhaka north city unit vice president Zakir Hossain Milon died in police custody.