Contempt notice served to Chattogram DC over failure to close illegal brick kilns
Despite repeated court directives, Murshid said media reports indicate that many of the previously closed kilns in various upazilas have resumed operations.
Senior Supreme Court lawyer Manzill Murshid has sent a contempt of court notice to the deputy commissioner of Chattogram, alleging failure to comply with High Court directives regarding illegal brick kilns.
The notice was sent by post today (10 March).
According to Murshid, hundreds of illegal brick kilns operating across various upazilas of Chattogram have caused severe environmental damage.
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Following media reports highlighting the issue in 2020, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) filed a public interest writ petition.
After hearing the petition, the High Court issued a rule on 14 December 2020, directing the authorities to shut down all illegal kilns.
As the directive was not fully implemented, HRPB filed a supplementary application in 2021, accusing the district administration of contempt of court.
Following the order, nearly a hundred illegal kilns were demolished, and a report was submitted to the court.
On 13 June 2021, the then deputy commissioner of Chattogram sought an apology before the court and pledged to close the remaining kilns.
Despite repeated court directives, Murshid said media reports indicate that many of the previously closed kilns in various upazilas have resumed operations.
Reports further suggest that the district administration has failed to take effective measures to enforce the court's instructions.
A newspaper report published on 14 November revealed that 37 out of 38 kilns in Lohagara upazila were operating without licences.
In addition, hundreds of brick kilns continue to operate in Satkania, Raozan, Fatikchhari, Patiya, Anwara and other upazilas in defiance of the court order.
Following these developments, the current Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram, Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia, has been served with a notice requesting that all illegal kilns be closed within seven days in accordance with the High Court's directives.
Failure to comply will result in HRPB filing a contempt of court petition against him in the High Court.
