Dhaka: The High Court on Monday exempted officer-in-charge of Akhaura police station Mosharraf Hossain Taraf when he apologised  appearing before it for giving a report showing an alive man, who intends to go to hajj, as dead.

A division bench of the HC comprising Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice Mohammad Ataur Rahman Khan also warned the OC after hearing the petitions of both sides.

The court also asked the authorities concerned, including the OC of Akhaura Police Station, to take necessary measures to o ensure performing Hajj by Azad Hossian, the writ petitioner. 

Barrister Kaiser Zahid Bhuiyan stood for Azad Hossain while advocate Shahriar Biplob moved for the Akhaura OC.

Earlier on Sunday, in response to a summon order, the OC appeared before the court and sought unconditional apology for the incident.

On July 17, the HC asked the OC to appear before the court on July 23 to explain the police report for which the intending hajj pilgrim was shown dead on the website of the Religious Affairs Ministry.

The HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why showing a man dead in police report should not be declared illegal and illegitimate.

The Home Secretary, the Inspector General of Police, the Superintendent of Police of Brahmanbaria and Officer-in-charge of Akhaura Police Station were made respondents to the rule which is returnable in one week.

Kaiser Zahid told reporters that Azad Hossain Bhuiyan was shown as dead on the website of Religious Affairs Ministry where names of intending Hajj goers (pre-registration process) are displayed. He was shown dead as the police reported mentioned him as a dead person.