Case Number: Writ Petition No. 11751 of 2026
Date of filing: 20/08/2026
Petitioners:
- Mala
- Dalower Begum
- Dara Lal Begi
- Moni Rani
- Salma Rani
- Nagorik Uddyog
- Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD)
- Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST)
Respondents
- Senior Secretary, Ministry of Health.
- Secretary, Local Government.
- Director, Sir Salimullah Medical College , Mitford Hospital, Dhaka.
- Deputy Director, Sir Salimullah Medical College , Mitford Hospital, Dhaka.
- Deputy Commissioner, Dhaka.
- Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dhaka.
- Secretary, Dhaka South City Corporation.
Facts:
10.01.2026
Date: 2024/04/22
The Menials Quarter (Sweeper Colony) within Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital, Dhaka has been occupied by families of sweepers and other lower-class workers for nearly 200 years. On 9 July 2026, the hospital authority issued an eviction notice requiring the residents to vacate the quarter, followed by another notice dated 30 July 2026 directing them to vacate by 30 August 2026 and warning of disconnection of electricity, gas and water. The residents subsequently sought temporary rehabilitation during reconstruction and re-allotment of accommodation after reconstruction, but the authority stated that no space was available for rehabilitation. Consequently, the residents filed a writ petition challenging the eviction notices, claiming violation of their constitutional rights to life, shelter, equality and protection of law, as well as their legitimate expectation arising from their longstanding residence. The petitioners seek declaration that the eviction notices were issued without lawful authority, along with status quo and directions for rehabilitation before demolition and reconstruction of the quarter.
Rule: Rule Nisi and direction
On 24 August 2026, the High Court Division issued a Rule Nisi in a writ petition challenging the eviction notices dated 9 July 2026 and 30 July 2026 issued against the residents of the Menials Quarter (Sweeper Colony) of Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital, Dhaka. The petitioners challenged the notices as having been issued without lawful authority and of no legal effect, particularly as they required the residents to vacate the quarter by 30 August 2026 and warned of disconnection of electricity, gas and water. The Rule was made returnable within four weeks. Pending disposal of the Rule, the Court directed Respondent No. 3 to dispose of the petitioners’ representation dated 4 August 2026 within 15 days of receiving a copy of the order, in accordance with law .
Details
Justices
Mr. Justice Ahmed Sohel and Mr. S.M. Iftekhar Uddin Mahamud
Area of law:
Equality,
Livelihood,
Shelter,
Life,
Fair Trial,
Discrimination.
Keywords
Slum Eviction
Relevant statute
Constitution, Articles 27, 31 and 42.
Details