Dhaka: The High Court on Monday asked the government to submit a report on what steps it has taken for procuring necessary equipment for operating rescue operations after any earthquake.

An HC bench comprising Justice Qazi Reza-Ul Haque and Justice Abu Taher M Saifur Rahman passed the order following a writ petition filed by Advocate Manzil Morshed.

The court asked four officials, including Home Secretary, Disaster Management and Relief secretary and director general of Fire Service and Civil Defence, to submit the report before it by 12 May.

Talking to reporters, Manzil Morshed said the HC, on 29 July 2009, passed an order asking the government about procuring different instruments for operating rescue operations after any earthquake.

But the government did not procure all the necessary equipment according to the HC order, he said.