The High Court today directed the government to prepare a list of owners of auto rice mills of seven districts -- who are selling rice in the market in the name of miniket and najirshail varieties, by polishing normal rice in machines -- and submit before it in four months.

The deputy commissioners (DCs) and superintendents of police (SPs) of seven districts -- Rangpur, Kushtia, Joypurhat, Naogaon, Jashore, Gopalganj, and Netrokona -- have been tasked to prepare the list.

In response to a writ petition, the court wanted to know whether there were any health risks to people and damage of nutrition standard of food due to the production of varieties of rice by polishing them in the mills.

Chairman of Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) and director generals of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) have been ordered to submit the research reports on this issue before the HC in the same period.

The court also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government to explain in three weeks why their inaction to stop the production and selling rice in the name of "miniket" and "najirshail" varieties by polishing normal rice in machines should not be declared illegal and why they should not be directed to stop such activities.

The bench of Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir came up with the order and rule following a writ petition filed by rights organization Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) seeking necessary directives.

Lawyer Manzill Murshid appeared for the writ petitioners, while Deputy Attorney General Kazi Mynul Hasan represented the state.