The High Court on Tuesday issued a contempt of court rule against Chittogong Port Authority chairman SM Moniruzzaman, additional secretary Mohammad Habibur Rahman, and deputy manager Md Shihab Uddin for allegedly violating a 2016 court directive by leasing out a piece of land belonging to the Karnaphuli River.
The bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury asked the officials to explain in four weeks why they should not face punishment for contempt of court.
In a 2016 judgment, the High Court directed the port authority and local administrations including the deputy commissioner of Chattogram to conduct a survey of the Karnaphuli River and ensure its protection, including safeguarding its land.
On November 7, however, the port authority鈥檚 deputy manager issued a tender notice, published in the Daily Purbokone, inviting bids to lease a plot of land along the Karnaphuli River in the Firinghee Bazar area for a period of 10 years.
The High Court, responding to a petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, in the public interest, stayed the tender notice for three months and issued the contempt rule.
HRPB lawyer Manzill Murshid told the court that issuing the tender violated the standing High Court directive to protect the Karnaphuli River and its land鈥攁 decision previously upheld by the Appellate Division.
Murshid argued that leasing out the river鈥檚 land not only defied the court鈥檚 orders but also posed a direct threat to the existence of the Karnaphuli River and the environment.
He stated that such actions by the port authority undermined efforts to safeguard the river, which is vital for the environment and the region鈥檚 economic lifeline.
Manzill said that the High Court deemed the tender notice illegal and contradictory to its 2016 directive.
By granting a three-month stay on the tender notice, the court underscored the importance of adhering to its rulings and protecting the Karnaphuli River from encroachment and misuse.
The contempt rule requires the port authority officials to respond to the court and justify their actions regarding the leasing of the river鈥檚 land, which has sparked fresh concerns about environmental violations and governance accountability, Manzill later told 抖阴精品.
He further informed the High Court that the authorities failed to comply with its 2016 directive to remove illegal structures from the banks of the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram, leaving thousands of encroachers unchecked.
Referring to the 2016 writ petition, Manzill informed the court that the Chattogram deputy commissioner had been ordered to identify and demolish illegal structures along the riverbank through a survey and submit a compliance report in 90 days.
Manzill stated that, in accordance with the court鈥檚 directive, the Chattogram DC conducted a five-day eviction drive beginning on February 4, 2019, during which some illegal structures were demolished.
The drive, however, was abruptly suspended with assurances that it would resume soon.
More than four years later, no further action has been taken.
On August 16, 2016, the High Court specifically directed the DC to remove 2,181 illegal structures built on the riverbanks.
While the initial drive demonstrated some progress, its suspension has allowed encroachers to continue occupying the land.
Manzill further said that officials from the Chattogram district administration and Chattogram Port Authority acknowledged the presence of thousands of illegal occupants who have grabbed port land.
Despite this, no measures have been taken to evict them, he said.
He said that the inaction jeopardised the Karnaphuli River, a vital lifeline for Chattogram鈥檚 economy and environment.
Encroachments and the unchecked construction of illegal structures exacerbate the river鈥檚 degradation, threatening its ecological balance and utility as a major waterway.
The High Court repeatedly emphasised the protection of the Karnaphuli River, directing authorities to preserve its banks and remove unauthorised structures, Manzill said.
The continued inaction, however, raises questions about governance and enforcement, as well as the impact of these failures on the river鈥檚 long-term sustainability, Manzill added.