Bar on gambling at 13 clubs stayed for 8 weeks

Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha passed the order on Sunday afternoon. The clubs are Dhaka Club Limited, Uttara Club Ltd, Gulshan Club Ltd, Dhanmondi Club Ltd, Banani Club Ltd, Officers’ Club Dhaka, Ladies’ Club Dhaka, Cadet College Club Dhaka, Chittagong Club Ltd, Chittagong Seniors’ Club Ltd, Narayanganj Club Ltd, Khulna Club Ltd and Sylhet Club Ltd. On December 4, the High Court gave the order in response to a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyers Samiul Huq and Rokonuddin Md Faruq. The petition citing the DMP Ordinance 1976, Chittagong Metropolitan Police Ordinance 1978 and Public Gambling Act 1867 said that any kind of gambling is illegal. But those clubs arrange gambling for their members. Even they have to put the related information on their websites. The HC in a rule also asked the concerned authorities to explain why directions should not be made to take actions against unlawful business and indoor games mainly cards, dice and housie playing in exchange of money, wager, stake or any other benefits.