The High Court on Tuesday issued a contempt of court rule against Dhaka South City Corporation administrator Md Shahjahan Miah for continuing the construction of a multi-storey market at Dhupkhola Math, a historic playground at Gandaria, in defiance of a court-ordered ban.
The bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury ordered the DSCC administrator to explain within three months why he should not be prosecuted and punished for violating the court鈥檚 previous directives.
The court also imposed a fresh three-month status quo, barring any further construction of the market.
Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association lawyer S Hasanul Banna told 抖阴精品 that the DSCC had already completed two floors of the high-rise kitchen market, ignoring the initial status quo issued on March 12, 2023.
The High Court had first halted the project in response to a public interest litigation petition filed by several rights organisations, including Ain o Salish Kenda and BELA.
The construction continued without response even after one year since the March 12, 2023 court鈥檚 ruling asked the government authorities and the city corporation to justify their action within four weeks.
The court further asked the respondents to explain in four weeks why the commercial use of Dhupkhola Math, instead of preserving it as an open space for city residents, should not be declared illegal.
It further asked them to explain why the construction materials should not be removed from the playground and why the authorities should not be directed to protect and preserve Dhupkhola Math as a public recreational space.
The rule was issued to several top government officials, including DSCC mayor, secretaries of the ministries of land, local government, rural development and environment, Department of Environment director general, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha chairman, Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner, deputy commissioner of Dhaka, DSCC chief urban planner and DSCC ward-45 councillor.
According to the right groups, the DSCC鈥檚 ongoing construction includes galleries, a children鈥檚 play area, and other structures, despite strong opposition from local residents, civil society and environmental activists.
The project had previously been suspended in 2011 following protests.
BELA also said that DSCC鈥檚 鈥榙evelopment plan鈥� for Dhupkhola Math included walkways, sitting benches, a parking zone, a cafeteria and a children鈥檚 play area.
These additions, the rights group argued, would significantly shrink the playground from its original 7.47 acres to just 4.01 acres, depriving local residents of a crucial recreational space.
