A High Court division bench also served show-cause notices on the director general (DG) of Rab, inspector general (IG) of police and the home secretary along with 10 others to explain why such harassment should not be stopped within three weeks from January 3.

The division bench of Justice Md Abdul Motin and Justice AFM Abdur Rahman issued the orders on hearing a writ petition filed by Abedin, who apprehended that Rab and other law-enforcing agencies may harass him any time.

Sources said this is the first ever move against Rab activities in the country since the elite anticrime force started operations in June.

Advocate SM Rezaul Khan Karim defended the complainant, while Assistant Attorney General Ashik-Al-Jalil appeared for the state.

Commissioners Murtuja Abedin of ward No.2, Joynal Abedin of ward No.10. Ziauddin Sikdar of ward No. 24 and Syed Jamal Hossain Noman of ward No. 8 went into hiding fearing arrest by Rab as they had allegedly been indulging for long in illegal toll collection, tender terrorism and other criminal activities in the city.