HC extends operation of mobile courts

The High Court (HC) yesterday directed the government to continue operation of mobile courts across the country to tackle food adulteration and price spirals for three more months.
Earlier on August 16 this year, the HC had ordered the government to run such courts for two months.
An HC bench of Justice Md Imman Ali and Justice Obaidul Hasan extended the time of operation following an application of Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), a rights group.
The August 16 order directing the secretaries to the ministries of commerce, industries and health to operate the courts also came following a writ petition by HRPB.
In the order, the HC issued a rule upon the government to explain why it should not be directed to take effective measures to prevent food adulteration and random increase in food prices.
The government, however, has yet to produce any explanation before the court, said HRPB counsel Manzill Murshid.
The court also directed the inspector general of police, director general of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and Dhaka metropolitan police commissioner to provide required forces for the mobile courts.
It asked police to file criminal cases under the Special Powers Act, 1974 against the traders responsible for food adulteration and price spirals.
All the previous directives will remain valid following yesterday's order, Manzill Murshid told The Daily Star.
The HC fixed December 12 for final hearing on the writ petition.