Contempt of court: Shipping DG, CPA chairman served notice

A contempt of court notice has been served to the director general (DG) of the Department of Shipping (DoS), the chairman of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and six others for violating a court order.

On November 19, a division bench of the High Court issued a rule asking the relevant government authorities to explain why the newly introduced policy and the establishment and operation of the newly formed Bangladesh Water Transport Coordination Cell (BWTCC) should not be declared "to have been done without lawful authority". The bench, comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi, also stayed the implementation of the policy for six months.

The notice was served on those who were violating the HC order.

The notice served on December 3, directed the recipients to comply with the High Court's interim order within three days, failing which contempt proceedings will be initiated against them.

Barrister Mustafizur Rahman Khan, a senior lawyer of the Supreme Court, issued the notice on behalf of the Bangladesh Cement Manufacturers Association (BCMA), represented by its president Md Alamgir Kabir.

The recipients of the notice include DG Shipping Commodore Mohammad Maksud Alam, CPA Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, Deputy Inspector General of River Police Department Md Mizanur Rahman, DoS Special Officer Mohammad Shamsul Hoque, BWTCC Convenor Saeed Ahmed, Bangladesh Noujan Sramik Federation President Md Shah Alam Bhuiyan, Bangladesh Lighterage Sramik Union President Abu Taher, and Bangladesh Launch Labour Association President Md Shah Alam.

The new policy, introduced via a shipping ministry circular on October 15 and gazetted on November 7, mandates that the BWTCC, a private platform, solely controls and regulates the operation of lighter vessels.

Barrister Mustafizur said that despite the High Court's interim stay order, the BWTCC has continued its operations controlling lighter vessels. He claimed that the authorities have failed to take action against these violations, which amounts to contempt of court.

"It is alleged that leaders of the Bangladesh Noujan Sramik Federation and the Bangladesh Launch Labour Association are continuing to force and harass importers and lighter vessel owners to take vessel serials from the BWTCC," he added.

The policy has faced significant opposition from importers and lighter vessel owners, who argue that it creates monopolistic control over vessel serials and fares.

Earlier this month, three previously conflicting associations of lighter vessel owners reconciled after disputes and operational splits that began in December last year. They have since resumed combined operations under the BWTCC.