In its 1st digital hearing, HC directs to protect Halda river dolphins

The High Court today directed the authorities concerned of the government to immediately take necessary steps to prevent killing of dolphins in Chattogram'sHaldariver and to protect them.

It also asked the director of the Department of Environment (DoE) in Chattogram to submit a report to the court through email in 72 hours on the measures taken to prevent killing of dolphins inHaldariver.

Secretaries to the ministries of fisheries and livestock, and forest and environment; director general of DoE; director of DoE in Chattogram; deputy commissioner of Chattogram; and UpazilaNirbahi Officer of Raozan of the district have been ordered to take necessary steps to protect the dolphins.

Virtual High Court hearing on May 12, 2020. Photo: STAR/Ashutosh Sarker

The High Court bench of Justice Obaidul Hassan came up with the order and rule after holding a virtual hearing on a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Abdul QaiumLitan seeking necessary directives to protect the dolphins and environment.

The writ petitioner himself argued for the petition while Attorney General Mahbubey Alarm, Additional Attorney General Murad Reza, Deputy Attorney General SamarendranathBishwas and Deputy Attorney General Amit Talukder represented the state during the hearing.      

This is for the first time in the history of Bangladesh that the High Court heard a writ petition digitally.

During the court proceedings, Justice Obaidul Hassan extended thanks to President Md Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Law Minister AnisulHuq for lunching virtual court functions for hearing and disposing of cases through using information and communication technology.

Virtual court functions are the first step in establishing e-judiciary in the country, the HC judge observed.                     

Barrister Abdul Qaium filed the writ petition with the High Court yesterday seeking its directive on the respondents to immediately take necessary steps to prevent killing dolphins in Halda river and to protect them.