NCT deal with UAE firm: HC allows three organisations to place arguments

The High Court (HC) today allowed three organisations to place arguments on a writ petition challenging the legality of the government’s move to begin awarding a contract to UAE-based DP World for container handling at the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) in Chattogram.

The bench of Justice Zafar Ahmed permitted berth operator Shahdat Hossain, dock workers’ leader Toslim Uddin Selim, and Students’ Sovereignty to present arguments before the court through their lawyers Barristers Nasir Uddin Ahmed Ashim, Saqeb Mahbub and AKM Fayez, respectively.

Barrister Md Anwar Hossein, representing the writ petitioner, told The Daily Star that all the three organisations will place arguments supporting the petition.

Meanwhile, the HC bench held the second day of hearings today and fixed January 20 (Tuesday) to resume the proceedings. Additional Attorney General Aneek R Haque placed arguments opposing the petition.

The writ petition was originally filed by Bangladesh Jubo Arthanitibid Forum, a philanthropic organisation. On July 30, another High Court bench issued a rule asking authorities to explain why awarding the NCT's container handling contract to DP World without holding an open tender should not be declared illegal.

In December last year, the then Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed assigned the case to the HC bench of Justice Zafar Ahmed for final disposal. The chief justice’s office had sent the matter the bench of Justice Zafar Ahmed on December 17 after a two-judge bench delivered a dissenting verdict on December 4.

On that day, Justice Fatema Najib declared the government’s decision to begin the contract process with DP World illegal, while her junior bench colleague, Justice Fatema Anwar, rejected the writ petition.

The HC bench subsequently referred the matter, along with the dissenting verdict, to the chief justice for a decision.