HYDERABAD, April 8 The District Police Officer of Jamshoro and the SHO of Kotri have been directed by the Sindh High Court, Hyderabad circuit bench, to appear before it on April 14 in connection with a public interest litigation regarding Kotri bridge (where barriers were installed for blocking heavy vehicles including busses and mini-buses.)

The court also ordered the police to ensure that no heavy vehicles would pass through the bridge.

Comprising Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Mohammad Iqbal Mahar the bench ordered that the height of the barrier should be kept at seven and half feet while present barriers be removed. The bench further ordered that the SHO would face contempt of court proceedings if the court order was not complied with.

The public interest litigation was filed by Raja Jawad Ali Sahar through Ayaz Latif Palijo advocate. The petitioner had, in fact, challenged collection of toll tax on the bridge following auction by railway authorities. Collection of tax, however, was suspended. He sought a ban on movement of heavy vehicles on the bridge while pleading that condition of the bridge is dilapidated and could collapse.

SHO Kotri police station had informed the court that he had measured the height of barriers which revealed that it was 10 and half feet on both sides.

He said that originally the barriers were installed at the height of seven and half feet. The interveners, Rasool Bux and others, filed a review application, praying for permission for movement of local buses or mini buses on the bridge in the interest of general public.