SC orders to stop distributing Brazilian wheat

Appellate Division on Sunday directed the government not to distribute the remaining amount of the controversial Brazilian wheat and extended the stay order on the High Court’s verdict that had asked the government not to compel anyone to take the wheat and take it back if anyone wants a refund.

The four-member appellate division bench headed by the Chief Justice, SK Sinha, passed the order. The bench also adjourned the hearing for two weeks.

The bench also directed the attorney general Mahbubey Alam to file a regular petition with the copy of the High Court judgment seeking permission to appeal against the High Court verdict..

On July 9, the Appellate Division stayed till today the High Court order that on July 8 had ruled that none can be forced to take the rest of the wheat the government had imported from the Brazil.

Controversy emerged soon after the food ministry imported 2.5 lakh metric tons of wheat from Brazil for FY 2014-15 in four shipments at a cost of Tk 400 crore. Media reported the wheat supplied by Singapore-based contractor Olam International was substandard.