The High Court on Monday issued a contempt of court rule against four people, including chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) Md Anisur Rahman Miah, for not implementing its directive to remove unauthorized commercial establishments from the residential area of Dhanmondi.

The bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil issued the rule after a hearing on a contempt of court petition filed by a rights organisation Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh.

The other three accused are--the Housing and Public Works Secretary Kazi Wasi Uddin, Rajuk's former engineer Md Shah Alam, and authorised officer Nuruzzaman Hossain.

Senior advocate Manzill Murshid appeared for the petitioner, while deputy attorney general Tushar Kanti Roy represented the state.

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Following a writ petition filed by two residents of the area, the HC on June 11, 2012 declared all commercial operations in Dhanmondi residential area illegal and directed authorities to remove such institutions.

The High Court issued a ruling on the preliminary hearing of this writ on February 2 of the same year. At the same time, an interim ban was placed on setting up and approving new schools, colleges and business establishments in Dhanmondi residential area.

Lawyer Manzill Murshid said that the court directed the defendants including Rajuk to remove unauthorized commercial establishments from Dhanmondi residential area and to remove some branches of Maple Leaf International School.

He said that officials have not implemented the HC directive issued in 2012 regarding removal of all commercial institutions from Dhanmondi residential area which is tantamount to contempt of court.