Contempt Charge

Faruk Khan exonerated

14 May 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

The High Court (HC) on Thursday exonerated Commerce Minister Faruk Khan from a contempt of court charge for obstructing implementation of its order for demolishing jetties set up by City Group of Industries on the bank of the Shitalakhya. The HC bench of Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore passed the exemption order following arguments by Attorney General Mahbubey Alam. He told the court that the commerce minister was not aware of the HC order that directed the government to start demolition of all structures within the boundaries of four rivers -- Buriganga, Balu, Shitalakhya and Turag -- around the capital. Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), a rights and environmentalist organisation, filed the contempt of court petition on February 28 against the commerce minister as he had written a letter to the shipping minister requesting him to take necessary steps so that the jetties are not demolished.