HC exempts 3 tanners from appearance

The High Court yesterday exempted three tannery owners from personal appearance before it in connection with a contempt petition, after they informed that they have shut down their tanneries at Hazaribagh, and offered unconditional apologies.

They are Mahbubur Rahman Panna of Pubali Tanneries, Giasuddin Ahmed Pathan of Rumi Leather Industries Ltd, and Akbar Hossain of Paramount Tannery.

Earlier on April 10, the HC had kept them in custody for over five hours for not implementing its 2001 judgment on relocation of the factories to Savar and for not replying to its rule.

HC bench of Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice AKM Shahidul Huq also ordered them not to run their industries at Hazaribagh in future, petitioner's lawyer Manzill Murshid told The Daily Star.  

The bench on April 10 issued arrest warrants against other three tannery owners-- Abdul Wadud Mia of Mahin Tannery, Abdul Wahab of Nabipur Tannery, and Mafiz Mia of Asia Tannery.

Another defendant Arefin Shamsul Al Amin, managing director of Rana Leather Industries Ltd, is currently abroad and has been ordered to appear on May 3.

The court on March 23 summoned 10 tanners, directing them to appear before it yesterday.

Three of the 10 have already died.

Following the contempt petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, the HC in August last year issued a rule asking them to explain why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against them.