The High Court(HC) has asked the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Works and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripokkho (Rajuk) to submit the records and probe report of the house which is alleged to be occupied by former footballer and member of parliament (MP) Abdus Salam Murshedy within January 16.
A High Court bench of justices Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Khijir Hayat passed the order on Thursday.
The High Court has also ordered the Ministry and Rajuk to submit the probe report to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
During the hearing, Attorney General AM Amin Uddin stood for the Ministry, Khurshid Alam Khan stood for ACC, Saeed Ahmed Raja represented Murshedy and Anik R Haque represented petitioner Syed Sayedul Haque Sumon.
On October 30, Sumon filed a writ petition accusing Murshedy of occupying a deserted house in Gulshan and asking for an investigation.
On November 1, the HC issued a rule in this regard, asking the defendants to submit the records of the house as affidavits within 10 days.
After extending the deadline twice on November 13 and November 27, the HC fixed December 1 for submitting the records. Thursday's hearing was a consequence of these extensions.
Besides, various media outlets published news blaming Murshedy for illegally occupying the house through forgery.
“The whole matter is currently under trial but the media have published news accusing Murshedy of occupation, which is like giving a decision,” said Amin during the hearing.
Murshedy's lawyer Saeed said that the way the news have been published is one kind of media trial.
Later, the HC gave a directive to the media not to publish such news that touches on the contents of the petition, while stating that the media will have complete freedom to write about court procedures.