The High Court (HC) on Sunday issued a rule asking the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Kazi Reazul Haque to explain under which legal term he has been performing the duties as NHRC Chairman.

A two-member HC bench comprising Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Mohammad Ullah issued the rule after hearing a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Yunus Ali Akand.

The court also asked NHRC chief Kazi Reazul Haque to respond to the rule within four weeks.

On November 9, Yunus Ali filed a writ petition with the HC challenging the legality of the appointment of Kazi Reazul Haque as the NHRC Chairman.

In the petition, Yunus Ali said no member of NHRC, according to section 2(H) of the NHRC Act, will be allowed to serve the commission more than twice but Kazi Reazul Haque has been serving as its member for two terms.

Besides, as per section 6 (2) of the Act, the NHRC Chairman has to be a legal expert but the present chairman is not a legal expert either, he said adding that the appointment was given violating the Human Rights Commission Act. ‘So, he cannot hold the post,’ said the SC lawyer.

Earlier, on August 2, former secretary Kazi Reazul Haque was appointed NHRC Chairman for three years.