SC allows battery-run rickshaws to operate in Dhaka for now

The Chamber Court of the Supreme Court's Appellate Division has issued a status quo on a High Court order banning battery-run rickshaws from operating on Dhaka roads, allowing the vehicles to continue for now.

Judge-in-Chamber Md Rezaul Haque issued the order this (25 November) afternoon after hearing an appeal filed in the morning by the state seeking a stay on the High Court's 19 November directive.

Deputy Attorney General Noor Mohammad Azmi confirmed the SC's decision, which includes a directive to dissolve the High Court order within one month.

In the morning, battery-run rickshaw drivers started their fifth day of demonstration, protesting the HC order at the capital's Agargaon around 10:30am, blocking both sides of the road to press home their demands, causing severe disruption to traffic.

They ended their demonstration after four hours, nearly the same time the SC decision was given.

Earlier in the morning, the Attorney General's Office filed the appeal and sought a stay on the High Court order. Talking to the media, Deputy Attorney General Nur Muhammad Azmi said, "The appeal has been submitted to the Appellate Division and the chamber judge might hear it today."

The High Court's earlier order had been issued in response to a writ petition filed by the Brihottor Dhaka City Corporation Pedal-rickshaw Malik Oikya Jote President Jahurul Islam Masum and Secretary Md Momin Ali.

Previously, the HC had issued the order after hearing a writ petition filed by Brihottor Dhaka City Corporation Pedal-rickshaw Malik Oikya Jote President Jahurul Islam Masum and Secretary Md Momin Ali. 

The petitioners had argued that battery-run rickshaws were unregulated and caused safety and environmental risks, as well as contributed to traffic congestion.

Approximately 12 lakh rickshaws currently operate in Dhaka, with a significant portion being battery-powered now as many old pedal-rickshaws are being converted to motorised three-wheelers through different unregulated modifications to the vehicle.

Talking to reporters today, Barrister Sanjid Siddiqui, who represented the petitioners, said, "There is now no barrier for battery-run rickshaws to drive on the streets of Dhaka due to the Chamber Court's order."

"Besides issuing the status quo, the chamber judge has also ordered to dissolve the HC order within one month," he added.

The decision comes after days of protests by battery-run rickshaw drivers and workers, who have been demonstrating against the High Court order since 21 November.

On Saturday, the Rickshaw, Battery Rickshaw-Van, and Easybike Sangram Parishad, at a rally, issued a seven-day ultimatum for authorities concerned to finalise a guideline formulated specifically for them to operate on Dhaka streets.

Demanding a re-evaluation of the HC order, the drivers and workers sought permission to operate following the implementation of the guideline. They also presented a seven-point charter of demands aimed at resolving their challenges and securing their livelihoods.

On Sunday, protesters staged demonstrations at various locations across the capital throughout the day.

In the afternoon, they suspended their sit-in programme in front of the National Press Club, pressing 12 demands, following a decision that their representatives would meet with Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali the next day to find a solution to the crisis that stemmed from the High Court order.

"Depending on its [the meeting's] outcome, the next action plan will be announced," the Rickshaw, Battery Rickshaw-Van, and Easybike Sangram Parishad's Convener Khalekuzzaman Lipan told reporters.