Rule follows writ by Bela earlier this year
Bangladesh High Court. Photo: BSS
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Bangladesh High Court. Photo: BSS
The High Court has issued a rule asking why authorities’ inaction over pollution of the Fuljhor, Karatoya and Bangali rivers by two factories in Bogura should not be declared illegal, following a writ petition filed by Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela) earlier this year.
A division bench of Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice Abdur Rahman passed the order after a preliminary hearing today (3 May).
The rule asked why failure to stop unauthorised, hazardous and polluting activities of SR Chemical Industries and Majumdar Products Limited in Rajapur and Chanka villages of Sherpur upazila should not be declared contrary to the Constitution and public interest.
The court also asked why directives should not be issued under Section 4A of the Environment Conservation Act, 1995 to prevent hazardous operations of the two factories and protect the three rivers from further pollution. The court ordered the case to be heard together with separate writs filed by the two companies.
In its writ, Bela alleged untreated industrial waste from the factories is severely polluting the rivers, threatening biodiversity. Fish have been found dead, while snakes, frogs, crabs and snails are also dying. It said water in parts of Raiganj upazila of Sirajganj has changed colour and emits foul odour, making it unusable.
Despite multiple fines by the Department of Environment, no effective steps were taken, the petition said. A technical committee formed to keep a 25km stretch of the Fuljhor pollution-free had recommended 11 measures for SR Chemical Industries, which were not implemented.
Respondents include secretaries of the water resources and environment ministries, the National River Conservation Commission chairman, Department of Environment director general, deputy commissioners and superintendents of police of Bogura and Sirajganj, and managing directors of the two companies.
Advocates Minhajul Haque Chowdhury and S Hasanul Banna represented Bela, assisted by Advocate Rumana Sharmin.
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