HC bench assigned to hear petition on DP World contract for Ctg port's NCT

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed has assigned a single judge's High Court bench for final disposal of a writ petition challenging the legality of the government's move to award a contract to UAE-based DP World for container handling at the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) in Chattogram.

On December 17, the chief justice's office referred the matter to the bench of Justice Zafar Ahmed after a two-judge bench delivered a dissenting verdict on December 4.

The petition was listed as item No 5 in the cause list for hearing today.

Justice Zafar Ahmed informed lawyers that his bench will hear the petition after the High Court reopens following its upcoming annual vacation.

Both the Appellate and High Court Divisions of the Supreme Court will go on a two-week vacation from December 21, and will reopen on January 4, 2026.

During today's proceedings, Barrister Md Anwar Hossen appeared for the writ petitioner, while Advocate Helal Chowdhury represented the Chattogram Port Authority.

Earlier, on December 4, senior judge Justice Fatema Najib declared the government's decision to initiate the contract process with DP World "illegal," while junior judge Justice Fatema Anwar rejected the writ petition.

HC bench then sent the petition along with the dissenting verdict to the chief justice for a decision.

The writ petition was originally filed by Bangladesh Jubo Arthanitibid Forum, a philanthropic organisation. On July 30, another High Court bench issued a rule asking authorities to explain why awarding the NCT's container handling contract to DP World without holding an open tender should not be declared illegal.