The High Court (HC) on Thursday raised question about the necessity for the Department of Environment (DoE) as the organisation is failing to play any role in fighting environmental pollution.
An HC bench comprising Justice KM Kamrul Kader and Justice Khizir Hayat made the observation during hearing on a petition filed over illegal brick kilns.
"The DoE can't play any role in combatting pollution. So, is there any necessity for having this department?" the court asked the lawyer representing the DoE.
The HC further said, "The rivers in the country are polluted, the air is polluted. The environmental situation in Dhaka is worse. We are worried."
The Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) filed the petition with the HC, seeking its directive to probe an allegation that the DoE is giving environmental licence to brick kilns in exchange for bribe.
Lawyer Manzill Murshid appeared in the hearing for the petitioner, while lawyer Muntasir Uddin Ahmed represented the DoE.
Mr Murshid said, "Upon hearing the petition, the HC directed the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to inquire into the allegation that Md Rezaul Karim, director (Admin) at the DoE Headquarters, is giving licence to the owners of the illegal brick kilns in exchange for bribe."
The ACC has been asked to submit its report to the court within two months.
Following a writ petition filed by the HRPB, the HC on November 26, 2019 issued nine-point directives on preventing air pollution.
Lawyer Manzill Murshid said the DoE is yet to comply with the HC directives.
Meanwhile, a report published in a newspaper headlined "Brick kiln license being sold, environmental pollution increasing".
Annexing the report, the HRPB placed a supplementary petition on 27 November 2023 with the court, seeking its direction.
The HC held hearing on the petition and passed the order.
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