A High Court judge yesterday expressed unwillingness to hear a writ petition that sought the court's directives on the authorities to remove illegal structures from the Dhanmondi-8 public playground in the capital to ensure people's access to the open space.

The playground opened to the public on April 24, days after protests by green activists, but the structures built by Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, which had illegally occupied the field for two years, stayed there as before.

Yesterday, senior judge of a two-member HC bench, Justice Farah Mahbub, said, "One of us felt embarrassed to hear the petition due to personal difficulties." Justice Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo was the junior member of the bench.

Justice Farah Mahbub, however, did not disclose the name of the judge who expressed such unwillingness.

Additional Attorney General Murad Reza told The Daily Star the HC bench would now send the petition to Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain, who would refer it to another HC bench for its hearing and disposal.

Earlier on April 28, an HC bench of Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury and Justice Md Habibul Gani had refused to hear the petition.

Six environmentalists collectively filed the writ petition on April 22.

Barrister Fida M Kamal and Barrister Sara Hossain appeared for the petitioners.