Contempt of court rule issued against BERC Chairman
The rule was a result of BERC and Energy Mineral Resources Division’s non-compliance with a High Court order stipulating that LPG prices be set through public hearings
The High Court has issued a contempt of court rule against the Chairman of Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) and the Secretary of Energy and Mineral Resources Division for not complying with the order to set LPG prices through a public hearing.
The rule has asked for an explanation within the next two weeks as to why their non-compliance (with the High Court order) should not be declared illegal.
The High Court bench of Justices Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Mohi Uddin Shamim passed the rule on Sunday after hearing an application filed on behalf of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB).
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The court set 15 December for the next hearing and order. Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua appeared for the petition.
On Sunday, the petitioner's lawyer said that even though the order was passed almost three months ago, no public hearing has been held thus far, nor has any report been submitted to the court in this regard.
On 25 August last, a High Court bench of Justices Obaidul Hassan and AKM Zahirul Huq directed the relevant authorities to set prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) through a public hearing and submit a report within 30 days.
The court passed the order on 25 August after hearing a separate application in a 2016 case filed on behalf of the CAB.
