HC orders judicial probe into alleged disappearance of seized hilsa in Bhola

The High Court today (22 June) ordered a judicial investigation into allegations that hilsa worth over Tk1 crore seized from fish traders in Bhola's Charfesson later went missing.

A High Court bench comprising Justice Khizir Ahmed Chowdhury and Justice Md Ziaul Haque ordered a judicial probe into the incident following a writ petition by 10 traders, directing a committee led by an additional district judge to submit its report within 30 days.

Lawyer Siddiq Ullah Miah confirmed the order to reporters.

The writ petition was filed based on a newspaper report titled "Seized Hilsa Goes Missing in Bhola", published on 20 May.

The report alleged that hilsa worth over Tk1 crore, legally purchased in Charfesson, was seized en route to Dhaka and later misappropriated under the guise of distribution to madrasas and orphanages. It further claimed that some of the fish were sold in Barishal and the proceeds embezzled.

The Coast Guard South Zone seized 155 containers of large hilsa from three trucks in Bhola, which traders said they had bought for Tk94.2 lakh.

Following the seizure, a fish traders' association representative filed a complaint seeking compensation and action over alleged harassment.

Bhola Deputy Commissioner Dr Shamim Rahman said the administration had taken note of the matter and asked the Department of Fisheries to verify whether the fish were caught in the sea or in rivers.

District Fisheries Officer Md Iqbal Hossain said it is generally difficult to distinguish between river and marine hilsa, but added that the disputed consignment was seized while being transported by road in Bhola town.

He also said law enforcement agencies should have carried out further verification, noting that classifying the fish as marine catch in such circumstances could be inconsistent with fisheries regulations.

The seizure occurred during the government's 58-day deep-sea fishing ban (15 April-11 June). The Coast Guard said the fish were marine-caught hilsa and therefore subject to seizure, while traders insisted they were caught in rivers and estuaries.

They further alleged that documents proving the fish's origin and purchase were submitted to the Coast Guard but were not accepted.

Records signed by the Charfesson upazila fisheries officer on 12 May show that permission had been sought for transportation, and after verification, an official of the Hilsa Development and Management Project reportedly recommended approval for the consignment.

In a press release, Coast Guard media officer Lt Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon said a joint operation by the Coast Guard and the Department of Fisheries seized 10,140 kg of suspected marine hilsa worth about Tk1.1 crore during the fishing ban period.