The High Court has issued a contempt of court rule against the chairman of Rajuk, director general of the Department of Environment, deputy commissioner of Dhaka, and managing director of Millennium Housing Limited, Mr Md Taizuddin for continuing unauthorized housing project activities, including landfilling, in the Totail area of Keraniganj, Dhaka, despite a court order prohibiting such actions.
A bench comprising Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Mubina Asaf issued the rule on Monday following the preliminary hearing of the contempt of court case filed by the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA).
Advocate Mohammad Ashraf Ali, Barrister-at-Law, represented BELA in the case, assisted by Advocate S Hasanul Banna.
Four organizations—BELA, Manobadhikar Sanskriti Foundation (MSF), Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD), and Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA)—filed a public interest litigation case last year against the landfilling in Totail Khal and surrounding areas.
After the preliminary hearing, the court, on January 22, 2024, prohibited landfilling in Totail Khal, adjacent low-lying agricultural lands, and water bodies.
Additionally, the court issued a stay order on all activities of the unauthorized Millennium City project by Millennium Housing Limited, which was being developed by filling Totail Khal.
Furthermore, the court directed the chairman of Rajuk, director general of the Department of Environment, and deputy commissioner of Dhaka to submit a report within two months regarding the current condition of Totail Khal, the damage caused by the landfilling by Millennium Housing Limited, and measures to prevent changes in land classification for water bodies, flood flow zones, and low-lying agricultural lands in Totail mouza.
Millennium Housing Limited later filed an appeal seeking a stay on the interim order issued by the court.
However, after a hearing, the Appellate Division, on April 29, 2024, ordered all parties to maintain the status quo regarding landfilling activities until the case is resolved.
As a result, Millennium Housing Limited has no legal opportunity to conduct further landfilling or any other development activities in the unauthorized "Millennium City" project, BELA said in a press release.
"Despite the clear and specific court orders, Millennium Housing Limited has continued landfilling and development activities in the unauthorized Millennium City project. Additionally, they have been advertising and promoting the sale of plots through posters in various locations in the capital. In this situation, the BELA filed a contempt of court case."