HC questions govt inaction over noise, violence during sports events
Rule covers fireworks, loudspeakers and gambling.
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 alleged 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.
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The bench of Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Md Asif Hasan passed the order following a public interest writ petition filed by nine Supreme Court lawyers.
The court directed the home secretary, youth and sports secretary, inspector general of police, Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner and director general of the environment department to respond to the rule within four weeks.
Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Shafiqul Islam and eight others filed the writ on 9 July, alleging 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.
Lawyer Azim Uddin Patwary represented the petitioners, assisted by Mohammad Shafiqul Islam. Deputy Attorney General Nur Mohammad Azmi and lawyer Yunus Ali Robi represented the state.
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Patwary said the court sought an explanation over the authorities' failure to control excessive noise from loudspeakers and fireworks, public nuisance, gambling and violent clashes between rival supporter groups during major sporting events and annual celebrations.
