The High Court (HC) on Monday ordered to send the Gazette of 'Bullying or Ragging Prevention Policy-2023' to all educational institutions within three months.
A High Court Division Bench comprising Justice JBM Hasan and Justice Razik Al Jalil passed the order after disposing of the ruling issued earlier on the matter.
"The education secretary has been instructed to send this policy to all educational institutions within three months. Also, the court has asked to elect councillors and form committees to implement the policy within six months, Advocate Tanveer Ahmed told BSS."
"Punishment for the offences under the policy wasn't fixed even though it mentions criminal punishment for bullying. The court feels that the punishment should be specific," he added.
The High Court issued a rule after a writ was filed attaching a media report on the severity and effects of bullying.
The High Court also passed a Suo-Moto order regarding the formulation of a national policy along with rules to prevent bullying after the suicide of Aritri Adhikari, a student of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, came to the notice.
The State presented several drafts of the policy in the joint hearing of the two rules. The gazette published in this regard on June 29 was submitted to the High Court.
According to the policy, criminal cases can be initiated against those responsible including students, teachers and members of the governing body, depending on the degree of bullying and ragging.
