TDS Desk:

The High Court has summoned eight individuals including the divisional commissioners of Dhaka, Chittagong, and Khulna for their failure to take effective measures against illegal brick kilns and the use of wood as fuel in them.

Additionally, the deputy commissioners (DCs) of Nilphamari, Kurigram, and Lalmonirhat, along with the Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) of Savar and Dhamrai, have also been asked to appear before the court on February 12 to provide explanations.

The High Court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury issued the order on Wednesday.

Advocate Manzil Morshed represented the petitioners, while Deputy Attorney General Tanim Khan, Assistant Attorney General Mohsin Kabir Rocky, and Assistant Attorney General Mujahidul Islam Shaheen appeared for the state.

Advocate Manzil Morshed said that Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) filed a public interest writ petition in 2022, seeking to halt the operations of unlicensed brick kilns across the country.

Following a hearing on the petition, the court issued a ruling on November 13, 2022, instructing the authorities to shut down illegal brick kilns. As the divisional commissioners failed to take effective measures, the court issued another directive on November 28, ordering them to act against illegal brick kilns.

In response, the divisional commissioners submitted reports to the court. However, upon review, it was found that previously closed brick kilns were merely added to the list of shut-down operations, while illegal kilns continued their activities.

Due to their inaction, HRPB filed a supplementary application requesting the court to summon the divisional commissioners of Dhaka, Chittagong, and Khulna; the deputy commissioners of Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, and Kurigram; and the executive officers of Savar and Dhamrai upazilas for an explanation.

After hearing the application, the High Court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury issued a summons for the officials to appear before the court and clarify their actions.