HC issues contempt rule against CCC mayor, 7 others

The High Court (HC) yesterday issued a contempt of court rule against Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) mayor and seven government high officials for not complying with its 2016 directive over removal of illegal structures built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River.

The HC also asked the respondents to explain in four weeks why they should not be punished for not complying with its directive.

The seven others are Chittagong development authority chairman; commissioner of Chittagong metropolitan police and its secretary; director general of department of environment; deputy commissioner of Chittagong; chairman of Bangladesh inland water transport authority and chief executive officer of Chittagong city corporation.

The HC bench of Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam and Justice Mohammad Ali issued the directive following a contempt of court petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, a rights organisation.

Petitioner's counsel Advocate Manzill Murshid said following a writ petition, HC on August 2016 directed for removing of 2,181 structures illegally built on the Karnaphuli River within 90 days.

But, they have not taken any step to comply with the HC directive so far, which is a contempt of court, he added.