HC questions govt's inaction over noise pollution, violence during sports celebrations

Highlights:

• Rule covers fireworks, loudspeakers and gambling
• Authorities given four weeks to respond
• Petition cites World Cup-related violence nationwide
• Nine Supreme Court lawyers filed public interest writ

The High Court today (26 July) issued a rule asking why the government's inaction in preventing  and controlling excessive noise pollution, public nuisance, gambling and violent clashes among rival supporters during major national and international sporting events and annual celebrations should not be declared illegal.

The bench of Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Md Asif Hasan passed the order today following a writ petition filed in the public interest by nine Supreme Court lawyers.

The court also directed the home secretary, youth and sports secretary, inspector general of police, Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner and director general of the Department of Environment to respond to the rule within four weeks.

The order came after nine Supreme Court lawyers filed a public interest writ petition.

Representing the state were Deputy Attorney General Nur Mohammad Azmi and Yunus Ali Robi.

The writ, filed on 9 July by Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Shafiqul Islam and eight others, alleged government inaction in preventing violence, public suffering, noise pollution and breaches of public order linked to celebrations surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The petitioners later submitted a supplementary application.

The petitioners were represented by lawyer Azim Uddin Patwary, assisted by Mohammad Shafiqul Islam.

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Patwary said the High Court had sought an explanation as to why the government's failure to control excessive noise caused by loudspeakers and fireworks, public nuisance, gambling and violent clashes between rival supporter groups during major sporting events and annual celebrations should not be declared unlawful.