DSCC accused of evicting properties in defiance of HC order

Staff Correspondent: The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and RAJUK have allegedly continued an eviction operation on Mugda Road, despite a High Court order to suspend such activities. The DSCC-led operation, overseen by Magistrate Moniruzzaman, seeks to clear houses and shops on both sides of the Mugda-Manda Road before providing compensation to the property owners.

ASM Mahbubur Rahman, a resident of the Mugda area and a petitioner in the High Court case, made the allegations on Tuesday. His lawyer, Md. Moshiur Rahman, stated that the High Court, on April 23, ordered the suspension of evictions on both sides of Mugda Road in the capital. The order was issued by a bench comprising Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md. Atabullah. The court reviewed the case again on Sunday and upheld the earlier order, Rahman added.

However, Rahman claims that the DSCC team has been forcibly destroying the petitioners’ property. He alleged that when they presented the High Court’s order to Magistrate Moniruzzaman, he disregarded it. Rahman also noted that the court not only stayed the eviction but also issued a ruling asking why compensation should not be paid before any eviction activity. Additionally, the court instructed the city corporation to respond to a request submitted by the residents regarding the eviction.

The writ petitioner said that the city corporation demolished private property without acquiring it and even seized valuables from the premises. He said the eviction was meant to benefit a housing company, questioning how private property could be destroyed without proper land acquisition.

Furthermore, the petitioner stated that they are not opposed to road expansion, but they expect the government to follow due process, including acquiring the land, paying for property value, and providing compensation. “This is the government’s rule,” he added. “Yet the authorities forcefully destroyed personal property and looted our valuables.”

The petitioner questioned whether the rule of law still exists in the country, pointing out that they submitted two applications to the DSCC and RAJUK on behalf of the residents. “The court directed the authorities to consider our petition and imposed a stay on the eviction. But they continued with forced evictions, disregarding the High Court’s order,” he lamented.