Dhaka, Jan 27 – The High Court on Sunday imposed status quo on the earth filling and encroachment in the canals, rivers, ponds and other water bodies and khash land near Purbachal by 22 real estate and housing companies including some leading companies.
The court also directed the authorities concerned of the government including deputy commissioner of Gazipur, and Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Kaliganj to submit a report after complying the order by two months.
The HC bench comprising Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, a non-government
organization.
The real estate companies and housing companies those were accused of earth filing and illegally encashment of water bodies and khash land in Kaliganj Upazila in Gazipur are: United Purbachal Lands Limited, AG Properties Limited, Navana Real Estate Limited, Biswas Builders Limited, Neelachal, Housing Limited, Bagan Bilas, Rupayan Lands Limited, Adarsha Ideal Limited, Tepantar Housing, Metropolitan
Christian Cooperative Housing, Manjil Housing and Development Limited, Sikder Royal City, Kabotakkho Green City, Divine Holding Limited, Shatabdi Housing, Swarna Chaya Real Estate, Vision 21 and Development Limited, Ocean Heaven Limited, SFL Chandrima Limited, Gramp International, Northsouth Housing and Fair Deal Shipping Limited.
The petitioner’s lawyer Advocate Manzil Morshed told reporters that the real estate and housing companies cannot encroach and subsequently degrade the environment near Purbachal following the High Court order.
He said according to section 18 (ka) of the constitution and environment law 1985 and water bodies law 2000 earth filling to water bodies is prohibited.
“We have received information from different sources that these companies were earth filling in water bodies without taking approval from the authorities concerned and deceiving people by hanging
signboards, he added.
Assistant Attorney general Purabi Saha deal with the case on behalf of the government.
Earlier on November 12 last year the High Court had also imposed status quo on earth filling of water bodies in different areas in Rupganj Upazila in Narayanganj and Kaligan in Gazipur on a writ
the petition filed by the same organization.
When contacted vice president of Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) Kamal Mahmud said if they any specific complaint against any their member they take measure to settle the problem.
He said if any REHAB member violets the rule of the country, they are responsible to deal within matter lawfully.
Md Idris Hawlader, deputy general manager (Admin) of Biswas Builders Limited claimed that they did not field sand in water bodies in Kaliganj.
“We are yet to know about the allegation against our company. We will let the authorities concerned to know about their position and if necessary will take necessary legal measures after getting all about
the allegation,” he added. – Staff Reporter
