HC seeks explanation on digitising convicted criminals' records.
The High Court (HC) today issued a rule, asking the authorities concerned to explain as to why it shall not pass an order to digitise the information on persons convicted of criminal offences and make such information easily accessible to the general public.
A High Court division bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar passed the order after holding hearing on a writ petition filed in this connection.
"The court asked respondents including home secretary and law secretary to reply the rule within four weeks," Barrister Fahmida Akter, who filed and moved the plea, said.
The young lawyer said as crime continues to rise; a publicly accessible online database of convicted criminals could serve two purposes: deterring repeat offences through social accountability and enabling background checks before hiring or employing people, the petitioner said.
Barrister Fahmida Akter filed the writ on July 30 and moved the writ before the court this morning.
