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Court reporter //

The state has appealed against the order to stop battery-powered rickshaws in Dhaka Metropolitan Area within three days. The application was filed with the relevant branch of the Appellate Division on Monday (November 25), according to sources in the Attorney General’s Office. The application may be heard in the Chamber Judge’s Court. Deputy Attorney General Noor Muhammad Azmi confirmed the application.

Earlier, the High Court had ordered to stop battery-powered rickshaws in Dhaka Metropolitan Area within three days. At the same time, the court issued a rule to find out why the inaction of the authorities in stopping battery-powered rickshaws in Dhaka Metropolitan Area would not be illegal. On November 19, the High Court bench of Justice Fatema Najeeb and Justice Md. Mahmudur Razi gave the order.

The Home Secretary, Local Government Secretary, IGP, Dhaka Police Commissioner, and the authorities of the two Dhaka city corporations have been asked to implement the court order. Barrister Sanjid Siddiqui and Barrister Tahsina Tasnim Siddiqui argued the writ petition in the court.

Earlier, Greater Dhaka City Corporation Pedal Rickshaw Owners Oikya Jote President Zahurul Islam Masum and Secretary Md. Momin Ali filed a writ petition in the High Court. The writ sought a ban on battery-powered rickshaws in the Dhaka metropolitan area.

Earlier, in April 2022, the Appellate Division had ordered that battery-powered three-wheeled vehicles would not be allowed on highways. As a result, these vehicles were allowed to ply on all roads other than highways.

Earlier this year, an initiative was taken to ban battery-powered rickshaws during the Awami League government. But the government backed down from the decision in the face of resistance from the drivers. Protests and clashes have been going on across the capital for the past five days after such an initiative was taken again during the interim government.