A petition has been filed seeking a permanent stay on the export of Hilsha to neighbouring India.
Supreme Court lawyer Md Mahmudul Hassan filed the writ with the High Court on Tuesday.
The petition sought for a rule asking why the inaction of the respondents in stopping the export of Hilsha should not be declared illegal.
Relevant authorities including the commerce secretary have been made respondents to the rule.
On September 11 the secretaries to the commerce, fisheries, foreign, civil aviation and tourism ministries, the NBR chairman, and chairmen of the Office of Chief Controller of Imports and Exports and Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation were served with legal notices over the matter.
The notice said that Hilsha is the national fish of Bangladesh but people are unable to afford it due to the steep prices. Hilsha costs around Tk1,000 to Tk1,200 per kilogram in the market.
Moreover, the Hilsha of Padma River costs more and there is usually a lack of supply of the fish in the market.
It is unfortunate that the commerce ministry gave permission for exports without thinking of the people, the notice stated.
It also said that the high prices of the fish are due to Hilsha being exported to India.
“What is more unfortunate is that it is being exported at a much lower price than the Bangladesh market,” the notice read.
Moreover, the Padma Hilsha is being exported to India, despite the limited supply which means there is not adequate supply in the country.
The notice alleged that according to the export policy 2021-24, Hilsha cannot be exported freely and the commerce ministry has unjustly approved exports against public interest.
It suggested that if the government wants to give foreigners a taste of the national fish, then festivals can be arranged.
The notice said that Hilsha export to India must be stopped within seven days. However, the petitioners moved the High Court after their notice went unanswered.