HC Orders Probe into ‘Bullying’ after Student’s Death

The High Court has ordered an investigation into the death of a Class 10 student from Ideal School and College’s Banasree Wing from bulimia and anorexia to see whether he was a victim of bullying or harassment by other students and teachers.

The court-ordered Dhaka district education officials to submit an investigation report within the next 60 working days.

The decision came after the bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Md Mostafizur Rahman held an initial hearing on a writ petition on Sunday and issued a rule on the matter.

The rule asked why the inaction and indifference of authorities who fail to take preventative measures to protect students from bullying in educational institutions should not be declared illegal. It also asked why educational institutions are not required to have an anti-bullying policy.

The education secretary, the law secretary, the secretary to the ministry of women and children’s affairs, district education officials, Upazila education officials and the principal of Ideal School and College have been given four weeks to respond to the rule.