Dhaka: The High Court (HC) has issued a directive for the immediate cessation of battery-run rickshaws on the streets of Dhaka city, ordering the relevant authorities to implement this ban within three days. This decision was made by a High Court division bench comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi, following a hearing on a writ petition regarding the matter.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the court’s order necessitates action from the Home Secretary, Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Secretary, Inspector General of Police, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner, and the authorities of the two city corporations to enforce the ruling. Additionally, the court has issued a rule demanding that these authorities justify why their previous inaction on stopping battery-run rickshaws should not be declared illegal.
The writ petition prompting this ruling was filed by an alliance representing paddle-run rickshaw owners. Legal representation for the petitioners was pr
ovided by Barrister HM Sanjid Siddiqui and Barrister Tahsina Tasnim Mridu, who presented the case before the court. The decision reflects ongoing tensions between traditional rickshaw operators and those utilizing battery-powered alternatives, highlighting the regulatory challenges faced in balancing modernization with existing modes of transportation.