Dhaka: The High Court on Tuesday sought explanation from the authorities concerned about the enforcement of section 31 (ka) of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act-2000.

Hearing a bail petition, an HC bench comprising Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice JBM Hassan also wanted to know whether the Supreme Court and the Law Ministry took any step earlier in this regard, reports UNB.

The law secretary and the registrar general of the Supreme Court will have to submit a report in this regard within 30 days.

Lawyer Kumar Debul Dey and Barrister Osman Aziz argued in favour of the bail petition while Deputy Attorney General Maniruzzaman Kabir represented the state.

As per the section 31 (ka) of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act-2000, if a case filed under section 20 of the act is not disposed of within 180 days, the tribunal concerned will inform the Supreme Court of it within 30 days explaining the reasons behind the failure. A copy will also be submitted to the government.

After reviewing the report, the authorities concerned will take action against those responsible for the failure in disposing of the case within the stipulated time, it said.

Kumar Debul said a case was filed with Rangunia Police Station in Chittagong on 19 February 2015 against one Milad Hossain for killing his wife. Later, the case was shifted to the Chittagong Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-2.

The tribunal framed charges against Milad Hossain on 21 March last but the prosecution could not produce any witnesses till today, he said.

As the case was not disposed of within 180 days, a petition was filed with the High Court seeking bail for Milad.