The High Court has suspended the lease notification issued for setting up a sacrificial cattle market in Aftabnagar, Dhaka, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, effectively preventing any such market from being held there this year. The order was issued on Sunday (May 4) by the bench of Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque and Justice Ainun Nahar Siddika, following a hearing on a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Yunus Ali Akand.

Earlier, on April 21, the Chief Property Officer of Dhaka South City Corporation had issued a lease notice mentioning 11 locations across the capital for temporary cattle markets, including one in Aftabnagar. On April 24, Yunus Ali Akand filed a writ petition seeking cancellation of the Aftabnagar site, naming the Local Government Secretary, Dhaka South City Corporation, and other related officials as respondents.

In his argument, the petitioner pointed out that Aftabnagar (Eastern Housing) is a planned residential area approved by RAJUK, similar to Dhanmondi and Gulshan. Thousands of families, including many judges and professionals, live there across nearly 7,000 allotted plots. A cattle market in this area would lead to severe public suffering due to congestion and environmental disruption.

He also argued that Aftabnagar falls under Ward 37 of Badda Thana, which is under Dhaka North City Corporation’s jurisdiction. In 2023, a similar lease attempt by DNCC was halted by the High Court after a writ was filed. Although the Appellate Division later allowed market leasing from L Block onwards, the area between A to H blocks remained excluded from cattle market use. This precedent was cited in the current petition to justify halting the market again.