HC worried over mixing chemical with fruits

The High Court today expressed grave concern over mixing chemical with fruits as people’s kidneys and livers are being damaged after having such fruits.

Only Allah knows what type of chemicals are mixed with fruits as people are being affected with complicated diseases including cancer, Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader came up with the observation during hearing on a writ petition.

The petition was filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh seeking necessary orders in this regard. 

The fines imposed by mobile court to the dishonest traders for using harmful chemicals in fruits are not sufficient, the bench said in the observation.

At the same time, the HC bench wanted an explanation from chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) why it has not set up chemical detection machines at all land and sea ports to monitor whether chemical-mixed fruits are imported.

The NBR chairman has been asked to submit the explanation to the HC by December 5, petitioner’s lawyer Advocate Manzill Murshid told The Daily Star.

Earlier on June 23 this year, the HC ordered the NBR chairman to submit a report in three months to it on the progress for setting up chemical detection machines at all land and sea ports.

Deputy Attorney General Abdullah-Al-Mahmud Bashar told the HC that NBR is collecting funds for setting up chemical detection machines at all land and sea ports to monitor imported fruits.

The HC fixed December 5 for passing further order on the petition. 

The court in a verdict in 2012 directed the NBR chairman and the customs department to set up chemical detection machines at all land and sea ports to monitor whether chemical-mixed fruits are imported in the country.

The HC on May 20 this year, directed the government to form teams to monitor fruit markets and warehouses across the country to prevent use of harmful chemicals.