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The High Court has issued a rule seeking an explanation as to why the government’s alleged inaction in controlling the excessive use of loudspeakers and fireworks late at night during national and international sporting events, celebrations of various occasions and other programmes should not be declared illegal.
A High Court bench comprising Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Md Asif Hasan issued the rule on Sunday.
The court also directed the concerned authorities to respond to the rule within the stipulated timeframe.
Eight Supreme Court lawyers filed the writ petition in the public interest, challenging the authorities’ alleged failure to take effective measures to curb late-night noise pollution and the uncontrolled use of fireworks.
The petitioners are Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, Md Mahiuddin, Yasin Alfaz, Saifullah Khaled, Mohammad Wahidul Alam, Md Raihan Sobhan, Md Abu Daud Nizam and Sheikh Sharif Uddin Firoz.
The petition argued that the unrestricted use of loudspeakers and fireworks late at night during national and international sporting competitions and celebrations of various occasions is contributing to severe noise pollution and public suffering.
It also alleged that such activities may fuel clashes among supporter groups and encourage offences such as gambling.
The writ petition questioned whether the authorities’ failure to take effective steps to prevent and control such activities was lawful.
Barrister Azim Uddin Patwari represented the petitioners during the hearing, while Deputy Attorneys General Nur Mohammad Azmi and Yunus Ali Robi appeared for the state.
The petition named the secretaries of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Inspector General of Police, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner and the Director General of the Department of Environment as respondents.