Dhaka: The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court today imposed a status quo for one month on a High Court (HC) order that directed authorities to cease the operation of battery-run rickshaws on the streets of Dhaka city within three days. The decision was announced by Appellate Division Judge-in-Chamber Justice Md Rezaul Haque, who also instructed the relevant High Court bench to resolve the rule issued regarding this matter within a month.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the apex court’s ruling followed a hearing on a government petition seeking to stay the High Court’s decision. The original order from the High Court was made by a division bench consisting of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi on November 19, after reviewing a writ petition related to the issue.
The High Court’s directive called upon the Home Secretary, LGRD Secretary, Inspector General of Police, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner, and the authorities of the two city corporations to enforce the order. F
urthermore, the court issued a rule demanding that the concerned authorities justify why their inaction in halting the operation of battery-run rickshaws should not be declared illegal.
The writ petition was filed on behalf of an alliance of paddle-run rickshaw owners, represented in court by Barrister HM Sanjid Siddiqui and Barrister Tahsina Tasnim Mridu. The legal action underscores the ongoing tension between traditional rickshaw operators and the growing presence of battery-operated vehicles in Dhaka.