National Desk :
The High Court on Monday issued a status quo order on earth filling in Chengti Khal in Maona area of Gazipur for a month.
In response to a writ petition, the HC also ordered the deputy commissioner of Gazipur and assistant commissioner of land of the district’s Sreepur to conduct a survey on the area of the canal and to submit the report in 30 days.
Besides, the court issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government to explain in four weeks why their inaction to stop the earth filling in the canal should not be declared illegal.
In the rule, the HC asked the authorities to show cause why they should not be directed to remove the soil already dumped into the canal in order to restore its original shape.
The HC bench of Justice Md Ashraful Islam and Justice Mohammad Ali came up with the order and rule following a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) challenging the earth filling in Chengti Khal. During hearing of the petition, HRPB lawyer Manzill Murshid told the HC that an influential local upazila parishad (UP) member is reportedly filling the canal and damaging the environment although there are laws prohibiting such activities.
The authorities concerned are not taking any action against the illegal activities, he argued.
Deputy Attorney General Abdullah Al Mahmud Bashar represented the state during the hearing.
