The High Court yesterday asked the food secretary to explain in two weeks why he should not be directed to make the Safe Food Act 2013 effective through a gazette notification.
The bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice ABM Altaf Hossain gave the ruling upon hearing on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by lawyers Syed Mohidul Kabir and Azam Khan on Sunday.
It directed the food secretary to submit a compliance report over the matter within June 16.
The lawyers, however, told the media that the High Court had directed the food secretary to implement the law within two weeks by publishing a gazette notification.
On Sunday, Azam said their ulterior motive behind filing the PIL – on behalf of the Legal Action Bangladesh – was to advance their careers.
The lawyers yesterday told the Dhaka Tribune that the bench had issued a ruling also asking why a directive should not be passed on constituting an independent inquiry committee to find out reasons behind non-enforcement of the Safe Food Act.
However, officials concerned said the court had not passed any such order.