A writ petition was filed with the High Court yesterday, seeking its directions to the government to evict all illegal commercial institutions and stop their operations from Dhanmondi residential area of the capital to maintain and protect its residential character.

President of Dhanmondi Residential Welfare Association MA Masud and its Secretary MA Matin Chowdhury jointly filed the petition as a public interest litigation.

Petitioner’s counsel Advocate Manzill Murshid said the petition has stated that hundreds of illegal commercial organisations are running operations damaging residential character and environment of Dhanmondi.

But no step has been taken to remove the commercial operations from the residential area to maintain and protect its character and environment, he said.

He also said the authorities concerned have failed to perform their duties in protecting the residential area.

The HC bench of Justice Mohammad Momtazuddin Ahmed and Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore may hear the petition today (Wednesday), he said.