The High Court on Tuesday issued rule suo moto upon government officials to explain in two weeks why the dacoity case against four infants should not be quashed and direction given for punishment of the prosecutors, reports UNB.

When some lawyers drew attention of the court to newspaper reports on Tuesday with photograph of four babies in parents’ laps appearing before the CMM court of Chittagong on Monday, it issued the rule against nine people including Home Secretary, IGP, DC, CMM of Chittagong and police officers concerned.

Bench comprising Justice AK Badrul Huq and Justice M Fazlur Rahman also ordered OC of Kotwali thana, Chittagong, investigation officer, complainant and informant of the case to appear before them in person on March 8. On perusal of the report the judges were apparently surprised and annoyed. The lawyers submitted that the police officials prosecuted the babies by abusing power and they deserve punishment and the victims should be compensated.

UNB Chittagong correspondent reports that Hajee Samiruddin of Golap Singh Road in the city filed a dacoity case on February 7 accusing ten neighbours including four babies Sagar (2), Riday (4 months), Durjoy (1) and Bijoy (3 months). Police prosecuted them along with their parents. The magistrate granted them bail when they were produced before the court on Monday.

The high-ups in the Law Ministry told UNB Tuesday night that they have taken up the matter seriously.

“We are equally surprised. We are looking into the mater to find out who abused or misused the power. Minors are immune from prosecution under the law guaranteed by the Constitution,” said a senior official.