Form separate dept for helpless citizens, HC to govt

The High Court today issued a rule asking the government to explain in four weeks why it should not be directed to create a separate department for providing shelter and food for the helpless citizens of the country.

The bench of Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury and Justice AKM Zahirul Hoque came up with the rule following a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) seeking necessary orders regarding a septuagenarian woman, Sadat Ara Sobhan.

In the rule, the court asked the authorities concerned of the government to show causes why they should not be ordered to protect the life and properties of a Sadat Ara, 70, who has been reportedly evicted from her Banani residence by her stepson and daughter.

In response to a writ petition, the HC ordered the director general of Directorate of Social Welfare to provide Sadat Ara, who is now living in a mess at Green Road area, with social security support and to submit a report after complying with the directive within seven days.

It also asked the chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha and its director (estate) to take steps so that house No 70 at M Block of 11 No Road of Banani in Dhaka, which was owned by her (Sadat Ara) husband, is not handed over.

The bench of Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury and Justice AKM Zahirul Hoque came up with the rule and order following a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) seeking necessary orders.

HRPB’s lawyer Advocate Manzill Murshid told The Daily Star that Sadat Ara’s stepson [Dr Mahbub Sobhan] and daughter have forced her (Sadat Ara) to leave the residence after her husband died in 2001.

Now, 70-year-old Sadat Ara is reportedly leading a deplorable life in a mess at Green Road area in Dhaka, although her husband, who was a renowned doctor, had huge properties, the lawyer said.