HC asks for details of owners still running Hazaribagh tanneries

The High Court yesterday directed the industries secretary to submit by June 13 the list of names and addresses of the businessmen who are still running their tanneries in the capital's Hazaribagh.

The HC bench of Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice AKM Shahidul Huq gave the order following a petition filed by the Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB).

Petitioner's counsel Manzill Murshid told the Daily Star that the HC on April 13 following a petition ordered the industries secretary to submit the list in three weeks.

As the secretary did not submit it, the rights organisation moved the same petition seeking the HC's directive upon the secretary to submit the list, the counsel said.

Many people have reportedly been continuing their tannery business in Hazaribagh although the HC in 2001 and 2009 directed them to relocate the tanneries to Savar by 2010. The court later extended the deadline until 2013, Manzill said.

The tanneries are being run in violation of the HC directive, which is tantamount to contempt of court, he said.

They would pray to the HC to initiate contempt proceedings against the tannery owners after the industries secretary provides their names and addresses, he added.