The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Monday allowed three-wheeler easy-bikes to run on all the roads across the country, except for highways.
A three-member bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, issued the order after modifying a High Court directive.
Following a writ petition, a High Court bench on December 15, 2021 directed the authorities concerned to identify all illegal and unauthorized three-wheeler easy-bikes running across the country and take necessary steps to withdraw the same from the roads.
The HC bench also issued a rule, asking the government to explain as to why inaction of the authorities in restraining the imports of three-wheeler easy-bikes and its manufacturing in the country should not be declared illegal.
Later, the representatives of Bangladesh Electric Three-Wheeler Manufacturing and Merchant Association, including its President Kamal Uddin Ahmed and Secretary Md Ahsan Samad, filed a leave-to-appeal petition with the Appellate Division seeking modification of the High Court order.
After hearing the petition, the apex court brought modification to the High Court order. The apex court also asked the parties to take initiatives for holding the rule hearing in the High Court expeditiously.
Barrister Tania Amir, one of the counsels of the appeal petitioners said, "According to the government policy, easy-bikes cannot run on the highways. The Appellate Division has modified the High Court order as per the government policy. Now easy-bikes can run on other roads except for highways."
"Most of the easy-bikes in our country run on acid battery. The writ petitioner said acid batteries are harmful to the environment. But the owners of the easy-bikes are running the vehicles on the roads with the government permission." "Upgraded lithium technology batteries have hit the market. But it will take time to adapt with new technology. That is not possible overnight. The writ petitioner intentionally filed the writ petition to expand his personal business," the lawyer added.
Advocate Atique Towhidul Islam who appeared in the High Court hearing for the writ petitioner told reporters that easy-bikes were running illegally charged with battery connection.
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