DHAKA: Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) chairman Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque offered unconditional apology to the High Court (HC) over failure in withdrawing 52 banned food items from the market. 

He was exempted from contempt of court rule after he had appeared before the HC to seek apology for not complying with the court order. 

HC bench of Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif and Justice Razik-Al Jalil issued the order on Sunday (June 16).

Lawyers Kamal Ul Alam and AM Amin Uddin stood for the BFSA chairman in the courtroom.

Earlier on May 23, the High Court asked the chairman of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) to appear before it on June 16 and explain about his failure. 

The HC bench also issued a court contempt rule against the BFSA chairman.

He was asked to reply the rule within next two weeks.

However, Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institution (BSTI) recently banned 52 branded products after marking them substandard.

On May 12, the HC ordered BFSA and Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) to remove from market the 52 substandard products, after hearing of a writ plea.

Besides, the court also asked for a report to be submitted on May 23 upon implementing the order.

On that day the HC issued the rule against the BFSA chairman as both of its orders weren't implemented. 

BDST: 1320 HRS, JUNE 16, 2019
RS/SMS