Dhaka: The High Court (HC) today declared two provisions of the quick rental law illegal. The provisions in question include one that grants quick rental power plants immunity from legal bindings and another that allows the energy minister sole authority to approve electricity purchase plans.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a HC Division Bench consisting of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury delivered the judgment, affirming a rule initially issued on September 2. The court had previously asked relevant authorities to justify why these two provisions should not be declared illegal.
The decision follows a hearing held earlier in the month, with November 7 marked as the date for the announcement of the judgment. The case originated from a writ petition filed by Dr. Shahdeen Malik and Tayeb-Ul-Islam Showrov, both Supreme Court lawyers, who challenged the legality of sections 9 and 6(2) of the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provisions) Act 2010.
The c
ourt had sought responses from several key officials, including the Secretary of the Legislative Drafting Wing of the Law Ministry, the Finance Division Secretary, the Secretary of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, as well as the chairmen of the Power Development Board and Petrobangla, regarding the rule.