DMP chief apologises to High Court over graveyard wall

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Benazir Ahmed has appeared in court and tendered his apology for failing to providing security to restore the Azimpur graveyard's western boundary wall.

He along with two colleagues appeared before the bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Md Ejarul Haque Akondo on Wednesday.

The bench had summoned them in an order on Sept 1.

File Photo

He said the implementation of the verdict began on Sept 2.

“I hope it will end soon. I apologise unconditionally to the court if any lapses remain after the implementation," he said.

Ahmed later told bdnews24.com, "Last year, we passed through a critical time. Every single day there were strikes and blockades. The entire police force was busy.”

The Deputy Commissioner of Lalbagh zone and OC of Lalbagh Police Station were also present in court with the DMP commissioner.

Plaintiff's lawyer Mohammed Asad Ullah attended the hearing, too.

A court defamation rule had been issued following a verdict on the demolition of the Azimpur graveyard's western wall.

In 2012, a writ petition had been filed by Zakir Hossain, whose father's grave is located on the western side.

Zakir's lawyer Md Asad Ullah told bdnews24.com, "In 2012, the Dhaka South City Corporation brought down the western boundary wall of the Azimpur graveyard. Following our writ, the court ordered its restoration and asked DMP to provide security.”

But, the lawyer said, DSCC claimed it was unable to work due to lack of protection.

The civic body had urged the DMP for protection, but to no avail. “So rebuilding the wall was halted,” he added.

The police officers were summoned for not complying with the court order.

The Azimpur graveyard's eastern wall, too, had seen a similar dispute several years ago.

In 2006, BNP MP Nasir Uddin Ahmed Pintu's construction company began constructing a road inside the graveyard. Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh filed a petition against the move at the High Court.

The court had ordered the removal of construction equipment and the restoration of the eastern boundary wall.

The city corporation had been given three months for the restoration. The court later called the administrator (south) for violating its verdict.