The High Court today (Jan 29) summoned three divisional commissioners, three deputy commissioners, and two upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) for not taking effective steps to halt the operation of illegal brick kilns.

A bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury passed the order, asking the divisional commissioners of Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna, along with the deputy commissioners of Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, and Kurigram, and the UNOs of Savar and Dhamrai to appear before the court on February 12 to explain their inaction.

The court's order followed a petition filed by the Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) in 2022, urging the court to intervene and stop illegal brick kiln operations. 

Despite a previous ruling in November 2024 ordering action, reports filed by the officials indicated that many brick kilns that had been destroyed or shut down were still listed as operational.

The court's latest order comes after a supplementary petition was filed due to the lack of enforcement, demanding further accountability from the concerned officials.

BDST: 1717 HRS, JAN 29, 2025
MN/SMS