The High Court today summoned the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) chairman, directing him to appear before it on January 26 and to explain for not complying its order over removal all illegal structures along the Karnaphuli river in the port area.

The court also ordered the CDA chairman to evict the illegal structures from the rest 30 acres of land along the Karnaphuli river by January 26.

The HC observed that it has noted recently that some government officials are reluctant to comply with its orders, which is not acceptable. 

The bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman came up with the order and observation during hearing a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) seeking a necessary order in this regard.

Petitioner’s lawyer Advocate Manzill Murshid told The Daily Star that the HC on April 9 last year ordered the CPA chairman to immediately take necessary steps to remove illegal structures along the Karnaphuli river and submit a report before it after complying with the directive within 30 days.

The CPA chairman on July 4 last year submitted a report before the HC through his lawyer, saying that his office could not abide by its directive for different reasons, including pressure from some quarters.

The that day again directed the CPA chairman to remove all illegal structures along the Karnaphuli river in the port area and submit a report after complying with the order within three weeks.

On August 29, the CDA chairman submitted another report to the HC saying that it has evicted illegal structures from 20 acres’ area out of total 50 acres along the Karnaphuli river and sought more time from the court to this effect.

The HC the same day ordered the CDA chairman to remove illegal structures from rest 30 acres’ area along the Karnaphuli in three months and to submit a compliance report to this court by November 14.

The CDA chairman on November 18 last year submitted a report to the HC seeking six months more time to comply with the directive, Manzill Murshid said.

Advocate KS Salahuddin appeared for the CDA chairman.