HC issues contempt of court rule against 4 govt high officials

The High Court yesterday issued a contempt of court rule against four government high officials for not complying with its directive, given 10 years ago, to remove all commercial institutions from Dhanmondi residential area.

The four officials are Housing and Public Works secretary Kazi Wasi Uddin, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) chairman Md Anisur Rahman Miah, its executive engineer Md Shah Alam, and authorised officer Nuruzzaman Hossain.

In the rule, the High Court asked them to explain in four weeks why contempt of court proceedings should not be made against them for violating its order.

The bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil issued the rule after holding a hearing on a contempt of court petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB).

The HC on June 11, 2012, declared all commercial operations in Dhanmondi residential area illegal and directed authorities to remove such institutions to preserve the area's residential environment.

Following a writ petition filed by the same organisation, the HC on June 11, 2012, declared all commercial operations in Dhanmondi residential area illegal and directed authorities to remove such institutions to preserve the area's residential environment.

The court, however, said the decision does not include activities of authorised commercial establishments on Mirpur Road, Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi-2 and Dhanmondi-27.

Petitioner's lawyer Manzill Murshid told The Daily Star that the officials have not implemented the 2012 HC directive, which is tantamount to contempt of court.