HC scraps verdict against Ashiyan City

A three-member bench of the High Court comprised of justice Syed AB Mahmudul Huq, Justice Naima Haider and Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque gave the order after allowing Ashiyan’s petition to be reviewed. Several rights and environment organisations including Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) and Save the Environment Movement filed the writ petition with the High Court seeking a ban on the project in December 2012. The company was given permission for the residential project on  43.11 acres of land, although according to the  Land Holding (Limitation) Order 1972 the limitation is 33 acres. The project also includes filling in low-lying lands and small canals, the petitioners alleged. The petition was heard and the High Court issued a rule in January 2015 and a year later declared the project illegal. Ashiyan City filed a petition to review the verdict which was accepted yesterday. Writ petitioners’ lawyers said that they will appeal the verdict.