The High Court (HC) on Tuesday stayed for three months a lease notice of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) that allowed setting up a market for sacrificial cattle in the capital`s Meradia area ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

The court also issued a rule, asking authorities concerned to explain why that notice shall not be declared illegal.

A High Court Division Bench of Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque and Justice Aynun Nahar Siddiqua passed the order after holding a hearing on a writ petition filed in this regard. Advocate Liton Ahmed moved the plea before the court, reports BSS.

“The DSCC notice was completely unexpected as because there was no sufficient vacant space to set up a cattle market at that place. If the lease for setting up this market is accepted, the animal market will be set up in front of the gates of some private houses in the residential area during Eid al-Azha. As a result, public suffering will be created. In addition, if the animal market is allowed to set up, even an ambulance cannot enter the area to take any patient from the area. Considering everything, the High Court has issued a stay order on setting up the animal market there,” Barrister Khurram Shah Murad, a counsel for the pleader told newsmen.

The DSCC issued a lease notice on April 21 allowing setting up of markets for sacrificial animals ahead of Eid in 11 areas. Local inhabitant Shahabuddin Shikder filed the writ, challenging the decision.