HC issues contempt rule on Haji Selim

The High Court yesterday issued a contempt of court rule against independent lawmaker Haji Mohammad Selim for obstructing the law enforcers to implement its 2011 directive to protect the historical Lalbagh Fort in Old Dhaka.
In the rule, the court asked Selim to show cause in two weeks why contempt of court proceedings should not be brought against him for obstructing the law enforcers in executing the court order.
The HC bench of Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal came up with the rule after hearing a contempt of court petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB).
HRPB's lawyer Manzill Murshid told the court that the HC on October 26, 2011 directed the government to remove illegal structures in and around the Lalbagh Fort to protect its beauty, nature and archaeological heritage.
Some law enforcers led by an executive magistrate reportedly went to the fort area on March 30 to remove the illegal structures, but they failed to do that as Haji Selim obstructed them, which is similar to contempt of court, Manzill argued.