DHAKA: The High Court on Sunday issued a rule against Cultural Affairs Secretary and Director General of Archaeology department for their inaction in implementing directives of the court.

The court also asked them to explain within two weeks why contempt rule should not be taken legal against them for showing negligence on court order on eviction of illegal establishments on the land of historical Lalbagh Fort.

An HC Bench comprising Justice Ashfakul Islam and Justice Ashraful Kamal passed the order following a petition.

In a verdict on October 26 in 2011, the HC had directed the authorities concerned to protect the historic fort by evicting all illegal establishments within the monument area.

As per the HC directive, the Dhaka City Corporation carried out the eviction drive at the fort area on March 30 this year.

On April 6, the high court also issued a rule against Dhaka-7 MP Haji Selim as he allegedly obstructed the eviction process.

Later, Lawyer Manzil Morshid served a legal notice on Selim, an executive magistrate of Dhaka and officer-in-charge of the Lalbagh police station, asking them to explain their stance in preventing the drive.

But, Selim did not reply the notice. Therefore, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) filed a contempt of court petition against Haji Selim.

After hearing on the petition, the HC issued a rule against Selim.

BDST: 1855 HRS, APR 13, 2014