The court, led by Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Magistrate Muhammad Munir Chowdhury, found that the encroachers have been disrupting the normal flow of Mohesh Khal (canal) and Kumarkhali Khal in Middle Halishahar and Saltgola areas by building houses, shops and disposing wastages in the canals.

The disruption of the water-flow results in waterlogging during downpour, local people alleged.

The court realised Tk 70000 from the occupants and ordered to free the canal within the next 24 hours, sources said.

The same court fined the owners of three multi-storied buildings about Tk 7 lakh for pilfering water and evading revenue in city's Bandar Tila area on Monday and Tuesday.

The court found that the building owners have been pilfering water from the line of Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa).

The court disconnected the connections and seized the motors.