The High Court on Sunday directed the education authorities to investigate the death of a teenaged school student reportedly as a result of bullying by classmates and teachers for being overweight.
The court also issued a rule on the formulation of anti-bullying rules in the educational institutions.
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The order and the rule came from the virtual bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman after hearing on a writ petition filed in this regard.
The writ filed by Supreme Court lawyer Tanvir Ahmed referred to 10th grade student of Ideal School and College Banasree branch who died of anorexia and bulimia _ diseases related to loss of appetite and eating disorder.
The 16-year-old student’s family complained that he was pushed to the death due to bullying and body shaming because of his obesity. It went viral on the social media prompting protests from the users.
This was broadcast by the Bengali service of BBC on July 8 fuelling further condemnation of the harassment.
Responding to the writ the HC bench asked Dhaka District Education officer to submit an investigation report on the incident within the next 60 days.
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In the rule the court questioned why authority’s inactivity and negligence to prevent bullying at educational institutes will not be declared illegal.
The court asked the Education Secretary and other concerned government officials to reply to the rule.