Writ seeks 11pm closure of bars, alcohol-serving establishments
The petition names eight respondents including the home ministry, police chief and NBR chairman, and urges uniform enforcement of closing hours at alcohol-serving establishments.
A writ petition has been filed with the High Court seeking measures to ensure that bars and alcohol-serving establishments across Bangladesh, including those in Dhaka's Gulshan, Banani and Uttara areas, close by 11pm.
Advocate SM Zulfiquar Ali Junu filed the petition today (1 October).
The writ seeks strict and uniform enforcement of existing closing hours at establishments where specific timings have been stipulated under valid licences, government notifications, orders, regulations or other legal instruments.
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It also asks the court to direct relevant authorities to examine whether a uniform nationwide 11pm closing policy can be introduced if no such policy is currently in place, and to make a decision in accordance with the law.
Named as respondents are the secretaries of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Security Services Division, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of Narcotics Control, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner, the director general of the relevant specialised police unit, the Chairman of the National Board of Revenue and the Commissioner of Dhaka Customs House.
