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The High Court has issued a rule calling for the installation of centrally controlled CCTV cameras and public display monitors at all sub-registry offices across the country to prevent corruption and irregularities.
The rule was issued on Sunday by a High Court bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice Abdur Rahman after a preliminary hearing of a writ petition, bdnews24.com reports.
The court asked the secretary of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and the inspector general of registration (IGR) to respond to the rule.
The rule seeks an explanation as to why the failure in taking immediate measures to install high-definition (HD) CCTV cameras and public display monitors in all sub-registrar offices under the Registration Department should not be declared illegal and without lawful authority.
Besides, it also sought directives to form a special committee to supervise the digitalisation of services and to ensure strict 24-hour monitoring at sub-registrar offices.
Supreme Court lawyer Md Al Mamun Sarwar filed the writ petition in the public interest.
He said he had sent a legal notice to the defendants on Apr 26. After receiving no response within the stipulated seven days, he approached the High Court.
The petitioner said he was inspired to take legal action after learning that Sub-Registrar Md Zakir Hossain in Savar had personally taken the initiative to install CCTV cameras in his office.
Advocate Sarwar told journalists, “We have found Savar Sub-Registrar Zakir Sahib to be a role model in this regard. He installed CCTV cameras on his own initiative and placed the monitors outside for public viewing. I personally went there and saw the matter myself.
“After seeing that, I felt that if this could be done across Bangladesh, it would create a clear space of accountability for ordinary people.”
When asked whether corruption could be prevented solely through CCTV camera installation, the lawyer replied: “Corruption is actually an innate issue for people. It cannot be completely eradicated. But we can reduce it.”
Emphasising the use of technology, he added, “Digitalisation here can work as an ‘artificial witness.’ It has evidentiary value. The records can be preserved there. CCTV cameras can be a small but effective means to ensure the accountability of public officials to the people and to bring transparency.”
The petition stated as its legal basis that sub-registrar offices are plagued by corruption, abuse of power, and lack of transparency. Due to the absence of proper supervision, ordinary citizens are being harassed and subjected to mental distress. Illegal collection of money from service seekers has become routine.
The petition further stated that because of the bureaucratic complexities in these offices, ordinary and uneducated people are being forced to rely on middlemen. This constitutes a clear violation of the constitutional rights to equal opportunity and legal protection under Articles 27 and 31 of the Constitution. It added that a digital monitoring system is now essential to ensure transparency and accountability in these offices nationwide.