Trade bodies seek HC curbs on \\\'hartal\\\', \\\'blockade\\\'

Top level business bodies including FBCCI have moved Sunday the High Court (HC) over blockades and shutdowns, report agencies.

Interrupting the counsel for business bodies over a writ petition, the HC questioned its admissibility during hearing as no association has any fundamental right sans its member.

"Since the writ petition has been filed by a group of business organisations, they don't have any fundamental right," observed the HC division bench, comprising Justice Quazi Raza-Ul Hoque and Justice ATM Saifur Rahman.

During the hearing, the HC also asked the petitioner's counsel whether any association can file a writ petition exercising its fundamental right conferred by the constitution. "Any association is not eligible for filing the writ petition independently, but it can join a person only."

Referring to the rationale of the writ petition filed in the form of public interest litigation (PIL), the HC raised the question how it becomes a PIL as members of the business community individually suffered losses financially as mentioned. "Mere showing the balance sheet, a PIL writ can't be entertained."

As Quamrul Islam Siddiquee, the counsel for the business bodies, could not satisfy the HC queries instantly, the bench adjourned the hearing for Monday and asked the counsel to come before it with homework.

FBCCI, BGMEA, BKMEA and BTMA filed the PIL writ petition seeking to make illegal the nationwide indefinite transport blockade and hartal enforced by BNP-Jamaat alliance to realise their political demands and asking compensation for loss incurred due to blockade and hartal.