A Chuadanga court has cancelled a fine imposed by a mobile court on a police officer who was collecting fuel while on duty, ruling that the executive magistrate did not follow proper procedure.
The Criminal Appeal Court of the Additional District Magistrate of Chuadanga also ordered the refund of the Tk500 fine, according to the court order issued on Monday.
The order stated that the statements of the accused police officer, Touhidul Islam, were not recorded, and nowhere in the documents was his signature or thumbprint taken. “Therefore, it appears to the court that Executive Magistrate Shakil Md Sofiullah did not follow the proper procedure in imposing the fine,” the order read.
The court ordered the mobile court’s decision cancelled and the officer acquitted, while directing him to apply to the relevant authority for a refund of the fine.
According to police, a decision was clearly made at a meeting at the District Commissioner’s office on March 29 that members of law enforcement agencies, fire service, civil administration, and journalists could collect fuel from filling stations through an alternate line.
Activities had been proceeding according to that decision, but this recent incident has effectively disregarded that decision.
The incident occurred last Thursday around 11am when the Alamdanga Police Station officer, wearing uniform and helmet, went to a filling station on a motorcycle to collect fuel. The executive magistrate on duty conducted a mobile court and fined him Tk500.
