Remove graffiti, posters from Dhaka flyovers in 2 weeks: HC

The High Court yesterday expressed grave concern over pasting posters on the walls of structures, including the flyovers in Dhaka.

"We feel pain when we see that the walls of the flyovers are filled with posters, though there is a law against such actions. The posters must be removed..."

"Every citizen has a right to open space. Those who are responsible have to clean the spaces," the HC bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Ahmed Sohel said while hearing a writ petition.

The bench ordered the authorities concerned of the seven flyovers in Dhaka to remove all the graffiti and posters from their walls in two weeks.

The court also directed the authorities to take appropriate legal action against those who are responsible for such activities and form a monitoring committee in this regard. The authorities have also been asked to submit a report in two weeks.

At the same time, the HC bench issued a rule asking the respondents to show causes why their inaction in stopping pasting posters on the walls of the flyovers should not be declared illegal.

Secretary at the ministry of local government, rural development and cooperatives (LGRD); chief engineer at local government and engineering department; secretary at the road transport and highways division; chief executive officers of Dhaka south and north city corporations; chairman of Rajuk; commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police; deputy commissioner of Dhaka and chairman of Orion Group that constructed Mayor Mohammad Hanif Flyover, have been made respondents to the rule.       

The HC bench issued the order and rule following the petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), seeking necessary directives to this effect.

Senior lawyer Manzill Murshid appeared for the petitioner.

The court fixed February 27 for passing further order on this issue.