Reopen Ramna Park in 24 hours: petition seeks HC order

A Supreme Court lawyer today filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking its directive on the secretary to the ministry of housing and public works to reopen Ramna Park in Dhaka in 24 hours so that people can walk and move about in the park.

Md Eunus Ali Akond submitted the petition as a public interest litigation to the HC praying to it to issue a rule asking the housing and public works secretary to explain why the closure of Ramna Park should not be declared illegal.

In the petition, the lawyer said the housing and public works secretary has violated people's freedom of movement -- guaranteed by article 36 of the constitution -- through closing Ramna Park.

Citing the writ petition, Eunus Ali Akond told The Daily Star that Ramna Park was opened as a public space in the Mughal era.

The government closed the park in March this year, in order to contain Covid-19 transmission.

City dwellers cannot walk, run or exercise in the park as it is still closed, although all offices and streets have already been reopened, he said.

The petitioner said many diabetic patients, who used to walk and exercise in Ramna Park, have been seriously ill or passed away.

Eunus Ali Akond said the HC may hold hearing on the writ petition tomorrow.