SC upholds HC bar on Nirapon’s inspection, training

The Supreme Court today upheld a High Court order that issued a ban on the inspection and training activities of Nirapon, an alliance of North American readymade garments (RMG) buyers in Bangladesh.

A five-member bench of the Appellate Division of the SC headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain dismissed a petition filed by Nirapon challenging the HC order.

Following a writ petition filed by Dragon Sweater Bangladesh Limited, the HC on October 22 this year imposed a six-month ban on the inspection and training activities of Nirapon that had been overseeing the building safety, inspection and remediation of garment factories in Bangladesh since April this year.

The HC also issued a rule asking Nirapon to explain why it should not be ordered to join the RMG Sustainability Council and to establish a common standard for safety monitoring of RMG sector, Barrister Imtiaz Moinul Islam, a lawyer for Dragon Sweater Bangladesh Limited, told The Daily Star.

He said the HC order of ban will remain in force following the apex court order.

Barrister Imtiaz said, Nirapon, which is the continuation of Alliance for Bangladesh Workers Safety, has no permission from Bangladesh Investment Development Authority to operate functions in Bangladesh.

But, Nirapon was arbitrarily charging extra from the factories for their inspection and training, he said, adding that the HC is scheduled to hold hearing on the rule on December 11.

Advocate Ahsanul Karim appeared for Nirapon while Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh argued for Dragon Sweater Bangladesh Limited.