HC orders to stop battery-run rickshaws in Dhaka within 3 working days

The High Court on Tuesday ordered the government authorities to stop or to impose restrictions on plying of battery-run rickshaws in Dhaka city within three working days in a bid to reduce road accidents.

The concerned authorities include home secretary, inspector general of police, deputy commissioner of Dhaka, administrators of two city corporations and Dhaka metropolitan police commissioner.

The High Court bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed by the 'Greater Dhaka City Corporation Rickshaw Owners Unity Alliance' (GDCCROUA) over the authorities' inaction in withdrawing the unlicensed battery-run rickshaws.

The court also issued a rule, asking the authorities concerned to explain as to why their failure and inaction to halt the operation of these rickshaws should not be declared illegal.

In the rule the HC also wanted to know why the respondents should not be directed to take legal action against the people involved with illegal electric connection for charging batteries used in those rickshaws.

During the court hearing, Barrister Shanjid Siddique representing the petitioner said that these rickshaws were operating in the capital without valid licences.

He also pointed out that the rickshaws consume a significant amount of electricity to charge batteries amid ongoing power shortages in the country.

Siddique further noted that both the Dhaka City Corporations don't have the authority to issue licences for these three wheelers.

[email protected]