The High Court today issued arrest warrant against three Hazaribagh tannery owners for not moving their factories to Savar and not appearing before court despite a summons order.

The trio are-Abdul Wadud Mia, proprietor of M/S Mahin Tannery; Abdul Wahab, proprietor of M/S Nabipur Tannery, and Mafiz Mia, proprietor of M/S Asia Tannery.

During hearing of a contempt petition, the HC bench of Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice AKM Shahidul Huq also asked its officials concerned to send three other tannery owners to a lower court for not relocating their tanneries.

The High Court on March 2, 2017 directs the Hazaribagh tannery owners to deposit Tk 30.85 crore to the state fund in two weeks as they did not pay the compensation money for damaging the environment. In the photo, a steady stream of untreated toxic waste from tanneries in Hazaribagh flows towards the Buriganga River, the lifeline of the capital. Star file photo

They are Mahbubur Rahman Panna, proprietor of M/S Pubali Tanneries, Giasuddin Ahmed Pathan, managing director of Rumi Leather Industries Ltd, and Akbar Hossain, managing director of M/S Paramount Tannery, petitioner's lawyer Manzill Murshid told The Daily Star.

The HC bench also ordered Arefin Shamsul Al Amin, managing director of Rana Leather Industries Ltd; to appear before this court on May 3, as he is now abroad.

Three of the tannery owners, against whom the High Court had issued summons, have died.

Tannery owners Mahbubur, Giasuddin and Akbar appeared before the HC bench but did not make any explanation to its rule. Tanners Wadud, Wahab and Mafiz did not appear before the HC bench, although it had ordered them to appear.

On March 23, the HC summoned 10 tannery owners, directing them to appear before it on April 10 for not implementing its 2001 judgment on relocation of hazardous tannery industries from the capital's Hazaribagh area to Savar.

Manzill said following the contempt petition moved by the Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, the HC on August 11 last year had issued a contempt of court rule against them.