The High Court has issued a rule asking why an agreement between Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) and Gulshan Youth Club for managing Gulshan Central Park should not be declared illegal.

A bench comprising Justice Iqbal Kabir and Justice SM Saiful Islam issued the rule following a writ petition challenging the arrangement.

The petition alleged that RAJUK, through a memorandum of understanding with the club, allowed it to charge citizens for using the park and its field.

It argued that such fees violate laws governing the protection of playgrounds, parks and water bodies.

The petitioners also alleged that Gulshan Youth Club has been constructing structures inside the park in violation of relevant laws and directives of the Appellate Division.

The court asked why charging people to use the field and constructing allegedly illegal structures under the agreement should not be declared unlawful.

It also sought an explanation as to why an expert committee should not be formed to identify structures built in violation of the area's master plan.

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works, RAJUK, Bangladesh Police and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner have been made respondents.

Environmentalists Dr Adil Muhammad Khan, Firoz Ahmed, Amirul Rajib and Syeda Shaheen Mahbub filed the petition.

Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam, Barrister Nishat Mahmud and Muhammad Awlad Hossain represented the petitioners.

The respondents have been ordered to reply to the rule within four weeks.