The High Court today summoned the deputy commissioner of Narayanganj and two other high officials over noncompliance of its directives regarding demolishing all the illegal brick kilns in Narayanganj

The HC bench of Justice KM Kamrul Kader and Justice Mohammad Showkat Ali Chowdhury directed them to appear before it on May 31 and explain why illegal brick kilns were not shut down despite its repeated directives.

The two other officials are director (enforcement) of Department of Environment (DoE) and deputy director of DoE (Narayanganj).

"It has been found from the documents that one of the owners has been jailed for a month for operating illegal brick kilns while other such offenders have only been fined. There might have under-table-dealings among officials and the owners of illegal brick kilns," the HC bench said during the hearing of a petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh seeking necessary directives.

The court said several contempt of court rules have been issued against many secretaries and deputy commissioners for not complying with its directives regarding the illegal brick kilns.

Writ petitioner's lawyer Manzill Murshid told the HC bench that despite contempt of court rules against the high officials of the government by the HC, appropriate action was not taken.

The HC bench said if they (government high officials) are directed to appear before this court for explanations over noncompliance of directives, they end up going to the prime minister's office as they are very powerful.

What is the benefit of court orders if not implemented? the court asked.

With these comments, the bench summoned the three government officials.

DoE's lawyer Amatul Karim Swapna told The Daily Star that the DoE has demolished one illegal brick kiln and shut down operations of 10 others in Narayanganj in compliance with the HC orders.

The HC issued the summon orders as all the illegal brick kilns were not demolished, she said.

The DoE's lawyer also said the government officials cannot comply with the HC orders as the owners of brick kilns moved appeals before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court against the HC orders.