The order came upon a public interest litigation (PIL) writ filed by a lawyer on Saturday challenging the March 30 decision of the Forest Ministry for selling its stock of 20 lakh cft timber to jote permit holders instead of open auction.

The petitioner submitted that the decision caused a financial loss of about Tk 200 crore to the public exchequer and also prompted the traders to illegally felling trees and smuggling of timber in connivance with a section of corrupt forest officials.

He further submitted that a secret agency investigated the corruption and reported it to the Prime Minister. A high level inquiry was also held that had ascertained issuance of fake jote permits. On the basis of the report, 12 forest officials were suspended on charge of corruption.

After hearing the petitioner division bench headed by justice M A Matin issued rule upon the government to explain why the impugned decision should not be declared illegal.

The stay order will continue until the rule is disposed of.