HC orders 3-month status quo on eviction of centuries-old Harijan colony in Barishal
The court has also issued a rule seeking an explanation from the Barishal City Corporation on why the eviction of the Harijan community should not be declared illegal
The High Court today (23 September) issued a three-month status quo order on the eviction of the century-old Harijan colony in Barishal's Kathpotti area, temporarily halting the city corporation's eviction drive.
The court has also issued a rule seeking an explanation from the Barishal City Corporation on why the eviction of the Harijan community should not be declared illegal, according to court sources.
The HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Bishwajit Debnath passed the order and rule following a hearing on a writ petition filed by four Supreme Court lawyers.
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An order of status quo is an interim order that directs the parties involved to maintain the existing state of affairs or the current position of a property or matter until further determination by the court.
The writ was filed earlier seeking to halt the eviction, with advocates Utpal Biswas, Saumitra Sardar, Biplob Poddar, and Hindol Nandi representing the case in public interest.
The petition attached media reports stating that residents of the Kathpotti colony were living in fear after being told they must vacate their homes following the upcoming Durga Puja festival.
Around 36 families, comprising nearly 100 members of the minority Harijan (sweeper) community, reside in the colony in Ward 9 of the city.
The residents submitted a memorandum to the city corporation administrator demanding that they be allowed to continue living in their longstanding homes.
The residents claimed they have been serving the city's cleanliness operations for over a hundred years and have never faced eviction until now.
They also alleged that the recent eviction notice is linked to plans for constructing a multi-storey market in the area, prompting the city corporation's sudden move to clear the colony.
