SC clears way to shut down brick kilns without valid license in Lohagara

The Supreme Court today cleared the way for the government to shut down all illegal brick kilns, operating without a valid license, in Chattogram's Lohagara upazila.

Chamber judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court Justice Obaidul Hassan refused to pass any order of stay or status quo on the HC order.

The judge, however, sent the appeal filed by the owners of 11 brick kilns in Lohagara challenging the HC order to its full bench and set August 16 for hearing.

Following a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), the HC on December 14 last year directed authorities concerned to shut down illegal brick kilns in Chattogram in a week, in order to save the environment.

The court also issued a rule asking the government to explain why its inaction to shut down the illegal brick kilns should not be declared illegal.

During hearing of the appeal, Momtaz Uddin Fakir, the lawyer for the brick kiln owners, told the SC the authorities concerned of the government are demolishing the brick kilns although the HC ordered to simply shut them down.

Writ petitioner's lawyer Manzill Murshid opposed the appeal, saying no brick kiln without license can run according to the Brick Preparation and Field Setup (Control Act), 2013.