A Supreme Court lawyer yesterday filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking its directive on the secretary to the ministry of housing and public works to reopen the Ramna Park in 24 hours.

Md Eunus Ali Akond submitted the petition as public interest litigation to the HC praying to it to issue a rule asking the housing and public works secretary to explain why the closure of Ramna Park should not be declared illegal.

In the petition, the lawyer said the housing and public works secretary has violated people's freedom of movement -- guaranteed by article 36 of the constitution -- through closing Ramna Park.

Citing the writ petition, Akond told The Daily Star that Ramna Park was opened as a public space in the Mughal era.

The government has closed the park in March this year in order to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Locals cannot walk, exercise and run in the park as it is still now closed although all offices and streets have already been reopened, he said.

The petitioner said many diabetic patients who used to walk and exercise in Ramna Park have been seriously ill or passed away.

Akond said the HC may hold hearing on the writ petition today.