The Bangladesh Hon’ble High Court instructed to submit a list of illegal brick kilns closed in five surrounding districts, including Dhaka

As per the court’s directions, the honorable High Court has directed to submit the list of illegal brick kilns in Dhaka and adjoining Munshiganj, Manikganj, Narayanganj, and Gazipur in the form of a report.

The court directed the Deputy Commissioners of five districts and the Director-General of the Department of Environment (Bangladesh) to implement the directive within the next two weeks—the High Court bench comprising Justice Md. Ashfaqul Islam and Justice Mohi Uddin passed the order on May 22, 2022.

Advocate Manzil Morshed appeared for the writ petition. Deputy Attorney General Kazi Mainul Hasan and Assistant Attorney General Nasim Islam Raju represented the state. Besides, Advocate Amatul Karim was on behalf of the Department of Environment (DOE).

Earlier on May 19, 2022, the Deputy Commissioner of five districts and the Director-General of the environment department appeared before the court.

It informed the court that most illegal brick kilns polluting the environment have been closed and destroyed by the high court’s order. At the same time, work is underway to close down some more illegal brickfields.

The High Court then commended the work of the Deputy Commissioners and directed that they should fully implement the court order. Besides, the High Court exempted the Deputy Commissioners from personal appearance.

Earlier, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB)), a human rights and environmental organization, had filed a writ petition in the High Court against the air pollution in Dhaka city and surrounding areas. After that, the High Court gave several instructions to prevent air pollution in Dhaka.

In the light of that writ, the High Court gave some directions. These are:

• After the formation of the expert committee to consider their views to stop air pollution in Dhaka city transport vehicles,
• Cover the soil/sand/waste in the area under construction,
• Sprinkling water on the road by the city corporation,
• Ensuring compliance with tender conditions for road digging,
• Seize the black smoke vehicles and close the illegal brick kilns.

However, as those instructions have not been implemented, a supplemental application has filed in the High Court on January 30 (2022). The petition sought a four-point directive attaching media reports on the current level of pollution in Dhaka city, the location of the highest level, and the operation of illegal brickfields.

Following the hearing of the petition, the High Court directed the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of the five districts to remain virtually connected as there was no action to implement the multiple directions given by the court to control air pollution in Dhaka.

The court also directed to submission of the list of illegal brick kilns in the districts. The DC and their representatives joined the court and presented their statements following the order.

The court then ordered the closure of illegal brickfields in the five districts to prevent air pollution. However, the petitioner’s lawyer filed a contempt of court charge against them for failing to comply.

The High Court had physically summoned the Deputy Commissioner of the district and the Director-General of the environment department to seek clarification on the continuation of the petition.