Maintain status quo on Aarisha Economic Zone work: HC

The High Court (HC) on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to maintain status quo on the construction work of Aarisha Economic Zone, owned by ruling party lawmaker Aslamul Haque, and on eviction of its structures near Turag River at Savar.
The court also asked the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) to dispose of an application in 10 days submitted by Aarisha Economic Zone for conducting a joint survey to determine whether the company has grabbed any land of Turag River.
The HC bench of justices Obaidul Hassan and AKM Zahirul Huq passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed by Aslamul Haque, managing director of Aarisha Economic Zone, challenging the legality of a notice issued by the BIWTA asking the company to remove its structures from the land of Turag River.
Sagir Hossain Leon, a lawyer for the petitioner, told reporters that his client has already invested Tk 15 billion of the total Tk 25 billion for establishing Aarisha Economic Zone on 51.81 acres of land at Syamla Mouja at Savar in the outskirts of the city and has deposited US $10,000 to the government for its final approval.
The BIWTA on Aug 23 served a notice asking the Aarisha Economic Zone authorities to relocate their structures from the area of Turag River within seven days.
The inland water transport autority said in the notice that the structures of the company will be demolished if those are not removed in seven days.
Aarisha Economic Zone authorities on Aug 26 submitted an application to the BIWTA urging it to conduct a joint survey with Aarisha Economic Zone to examine if any structure of the company was erected on lands of Turag River. The BIWTA is yet to dispose of the application, Mr Sagir Hossain said.
Mr Haque, a Member of the Parliament from Dhaka-14 constituency submitted the writ to the HC on Aug 27 challenging the legality of BIWTA's Aug 23 notice. After hearing the petition the court passed the order.
Lawyers Rabiul Alam Budu and Syed Mamun Mahbub appeared for the petitioner while Attorney General Mahbubey Alam represented the state during hearing.

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