Writ seeks ‘neutral lab test’ of wheat

A petition was filed with the Supreme Court today seeking its directives upon the government to examine the wheat imported from Brazil at a “neutral laboratory” by collecting its sample through a committee formed by the apex court.

Advocate Pabel Mia, a Dhaka Judges Court lawyer who earlier filed the same writ petition with High Court, today filed the writ to the SC seeking its order on the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to inquire into whether there was any corruption in importing the wheat from Brazil and its release and distribution in the country.

Pabel’s lawyer Shanjid Siddique told The Daily Star that the Supreme Court chamber judge will hear the petition on July 21.

Shanjid said that his client has prayed to the apex court to form a committee to collect the sample of the wheat for its test in a neutral laboratory which is beyond the control of the government.

There are such laboratories in the country including one working under the US Embassy, he added.

He said there was a dispute in earlier laboratory test of the wheat since the executive magistrate had collected the sample.

On July 8, the High Court following his writ petition directed the government not to compel any organisation or department to accept the wheat.

The HC also asked the government to take the wheat if any organisation or department wishes to return it.

The Supreme Court on July 9 stayed till July 26 the HC judgement after Attorney General Mahbubey Alam filed a petition seeking a stay on the HC verdict.

Pabel Mia today filed the petition with the SC also challenging the High Court directives.