Dhaka: The High Court on Wednesday stayed for six months the eviction drive by a mobile court of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) at Mohammadpur Jannatbag slum.

A HC bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman passed the order after hearing on a writ petition filed by a human rights organisation.

The HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain why the eviction drive should not be declared illegal, which is returnable in four weeks, reports UNB.

Advocate Khurshid Alam stood for the petitioner while deputy attorney general Mokhlesur Rahman represented the state.

Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan said a mobile court of DNCC launched an eviction drive at Jannatbag slum in Mohammadpur without any prior notice on January 2.

On January 3, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), on behalf of three residents of the slum, filed the writ petition with the HC seeking a stay order on the eviction drive.