Writ filed seeking action against gambling dens, shisha lounges, unlicensed bars

A Supreme Court lawyer has filed a writ petition with the High Court, seeking directives to conduct mobile court drives to shut down illegal gambling dens, unauthorised shisha lounges, and unlicensed bars across the country, including the capital.

Advocate SM Zulfikar Ali Junu, chairman of the National Lawyers' Council, filed the petition in the public interest today (30 March).

He said the writ may be heard by a High Court division bench later this week or next week. 

The secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the inspector general of police (IGP), the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner, and the director general of the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC), among others, have been named as respondents in the petition.

The writ seeks immediate directives for relevant authorities to carry out regular mobile court operations to curb these illegal activities.

It sought immediate instructions for operating mobile courts regularly to curb illegal gambling, shisha lounges, and unlicensed alcohol-serving establishments.

According to the petition, such activities have increased in upscale areas of Dhaka particularly Gulshan, Banani, Dhanmondi, and Uttara, often operating under the guise of cafés or lounges. These establishments allegedly pose serious threats to society, especially to young people.

The petition further noted that there is no legal provision or permission to operate shisha or hookah bars in the country. Despite existing laws, these businesses are allegedly expanding due to a lack of effective monitoring.

The petition alleged shisha lounges mix drugs with tobacco with illegal substances like Yaba, marijuana, and Phensedyl. They serve alcohol and host illicit activities, fuelling crime and law-and-order concerns.

The petitioner noted that although the High Court had previously issued directives to close illegal shisha lounges in the capital, the new writ was filed due to a persistent lack of implementation.