The High Court yesterday issued an order of status quo regarding the land filling of Chengti Khal in Maona area in Gazipur for a month.

In response to a writ petition, the HC also ordered the deputy commissioner of Gazipur and assistant commissioner of land of Sreepur upazila to conduct a survey on the canal and submit the report to this court in 30 days.

Besides, the court issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government to explain in four weeks why their inaction to stop land filling in Chengti Khal should not be declared illegal.

In the rule, the HC also asked the authorities to show causes for why they should not be directed to remove the soil already dumped into the canal in order to restore its original shape.

The HC bench of Justice Md Ashraful Islam and Justice Mohammad Ali came up with the order and rule following a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) challenging the earth filling in Chengti Khal. Deputy Attorney General Abdullah Al Mahmud Bashar represented the state during the hearing.

During the hearing, HRPB lawyer Manzill Murshid told the HC that a local influential UP member is reportedly filling up Chengti Khal and damaging the surrounding environment, despite the fact that there are rules of law prohibiting such activities.

Manzill Murshid also argued that the authorities concerned of the government are not taking any action against this illegal activity.