SC upholds DU notice for keeping students' faces uncovered

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday upheld a notice issued by the Department of Bangla at the University of Dhaka, asking its students to keep their faces, including their ears, uncovered during exams and presentations.

The apex court came up with the order after holding a hearing on a plea filed against a High Court order in this regard. The Appellate Division halted the High Court order that had stayed the effectiveness of the notice.

"Disposed of, stay," said the order passed by the three-judge panel of the Appellate Division headed by Justice Md Nuruzzaman.

The apex court also ordered to dispose of a rule issued by the High Court within two months.

Attorney General AM Amin Uddin moved the plea for the state, while Barrister Belayet Hossain and Advocate Md Faijullah stood for a writ petition.

"The apex court in its order said necessary part of the face can be kept uncovered," Md Faijullah told newsmen.

On May 7, the High Court stayed the effectiveness of the notice for six months and sent the matter to the Appellate Division for further hearing. It had also issued a rule, asking authorities concerned as to why it shall not declare the Dhaka University Department of Bangla notice, illegal.