HC asks govt to deactivate unregistered cell-phone SIMs

FE Report

The High Court (HC) asked the government and the telecom operators Tuesday to take measures to immediately deactivate all the unregistered cell-phone SIMs (subscriber identification module) in the country.

At the same time, the HC issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain within four weeks as to why they should not be directed to stop sale and distribution of the SIM cards without registration.

A bench of the HC comprising Justice Mirza Hussain Haider and Justice Muhammad Khurshid Alam Sarkar issued the order and rule following a writ petition.

SC lawyers JR Khan Robin, Sharif U Ahmed, Mirza Al Mahmud and Md Moniruzzaman filed the writ petition.

Barrister Md Bodruddoza Badal represented the petitioners while deputy attorney general Al Amin Sarkar appeared for the government.

The chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), home secretary, posts and telecommunications secretary, chief executive officers of all the mobile phone operators were made respondents in the petition, Mr Badal told the FE.

The HC bench also ordered the respective telecom operators to provide detailed information about the SIM cards if it is sought from them on different allegations.

In the rule, the HC also wanted to know as to why the law enforcers should not be directed to take legal actions against the unregistered SIM card holders or the authorities.

After the HC order, Mr Badal told the reporters that there are about 7 million unregistered SIM cards in the country as appeared in the press. Using these SIMs, different crimes including extortion and threats are taking place, he added.