A Dhaka court has granted bail to four environmental activists on surrender in a case filed for entering the Dhanmondi playground illegally.
They are -- Institution of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) Mobassher Hossain, architect Salma A Shafi, Bangladesh Women’s Sports Association General Secretary Kamrunnahar Dana, Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) Iqbal Habib.
The court of Metropolitan Magistrate MA Salam passed the order on Tuesday afternoon.
On April 18, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club General Secretary Arifur Rahman filed the case with Dhanmondi police station against the four activists and several others for creating chaos in the playground.
Activists of over 50 environmental and social organisations and also residents of Dhanmondi are forming human chains and organising rallies demanding the playground be opened to the people and all illegal structures by the club be stopped.
In 2004, following submission of a petition by Bapa and IAB, the High Court directed the then city corporation (now Dhaka South City Corporation) to free Dhanmondi playground from the illegal occupation by Sheikh Jamal Club.
In March 2011, the court again ordered the DSCC, the Public Works Ministry and the club authorities to remove all illegal structures so that the ground remained open to everyone.