Dhaka: The High Court on Wednesday issued a rule on the authorities concerned asking them to explain why the insertion of eight sections in the Contempt of Court Act-2013 should not be declared ultra virus of the constitution.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Dr Quazi Reza-ul Hoque and Justice ABM Altaf Hossain on hearing a writ petition jointly filed by Advocate Asaduzzman Siddiqui and Ayesa Khatun issued the rule.

The writ petition claimed that some new sections that were incorporated in the original law on February 23 is contradictory to Article 108 of the constitution.

Secretaries to the President and the Prime Minister, and cabinet and parliamentary affairs secretaries were asked to reply within next 10 days.

Advocate Monzil Morsheed moved the petition while Deputy Attorney General Biswajit Roy appeared for the State.

Ends/AMA/03/04/13