The court, led by Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Magistrate Muhammad Munir Chowdhury, found that five to six plots were developed there by razing about 70 to 80 feet area of a large hill, measuring around two acres. It also found that construction of a seven-storied building was going on in full swing at the foothill.

"The hill was owned by renowned tea company James Finley but it was later sold out and transferred in favour of several individuals and developers," said Munir Chowdhury.

Quoting day labourers and some locals, the magistrate said that the plots were being raised in the name of a real estate project named 'Kanan Jhara Residential Project' but none of the company could be found on the spot.

Munir said, "We are trying to dig out the real owners or people responsible for razing and destroying this beautiful hill in the heart of the city."

The same court in another drive yesterday fined two community centres Tk 4.23 lakh for pilfering water and evading revenues at Port Connecting Road.

The court found that PC Park Community Centre has been pilfering water from a near-by five-storied building. The building owner pays only Tk 700 to Tk 1000 on average showing the meter out of order.

On the other hand, the court found no legal connection of water at Tasfia Community Centre.

The court also seized the motors and disconnected their connections, court sources said.