Staff Reporter :
The High Court (HC) on Monday directed the government to monitor the fruit markets and warehouses across the country to prevent use of chemicals in fruits.
The court asked the Inspector General of Police, Director General of Rapid Action Battalion and Chairman and Director concerned of Bangladesh Standards Testing Institute (BSTI) to form separate teams in seven days to monitor the fruit markets and warehouses.
The High Court also directed them to submit reports before the court after complying with the order by June 18.
The High Court bench of Justice F R M Nazmul Ahasan and Justice K M Kamrul Kader passed the order while hearing a petition filed by a rights organization, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB).
During the hearing, petitioner’s lawyer Advocate Manzill Murshid told the court that if the fruit markets and warehouses are not monitored then chemicals will be used in the fruits, which will be harmful for public health.
Meanwhile, Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner submitted a report to the High Court through Deputy Attorney General A B M Abdullah Al Mahmud Bashar saying that Magistrate and police have been deployed in the mango orchard in Rajshahi as per its previous order.
On April 9, the High Court directed the government to deploy police at the mango orchards in Rajshahi region to prevent spraying of toxic chemicals on mangoes. The Appellate Division on April 16 upheld the High Court order.
