The High Court has ordered to take necessary action within 48 hours to stop illegal liquor selling at the minibars and restaurants in the capital’s Gulshan and Banani areas.
The HC bench of Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury and Justice M Khasruzzaman passed the order yesterday following a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh.
Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, Assistant Attorney General Titus Hillol Rema said: “The writ was filed after a national daily reported that there were 40 minibars and restaurants in Gulshan and Banani that are selling liquor illegally. The court asked the respondents to take action against those who do not have the licence to do so.”
The court also ordered the commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, director general of Drug Administration and director (operation) of the Narcotics Control Department (NCD) to submit a report in this regard within 10 days.
The court also issued a ruling asking the government authorities concerned to explain in two weeks as to why their inaction to stop selling and purchasing liquor illegally in the aforementioned areas should not be declared illegal.
The court also asked the authorities to show causes as to why they should not be directed to take action against the persons who were involved in selling and purchasing alcohol illegally.
The home secretary, DMP commissioner, director general of the NCD and NCD inspectors in Gulshan-Banani areas were made respondents to the ruling.
Advocate Manzil Morshed moved for the petitioner’s side.
However, another HC bench comprising Justice Naima Haider and Justice Jahangir Hossain ordered temporary ban on four restaurants – Wasabi, Le Souffle, The Deli, and Med Lounge Tapas; all housed in Bellagio, owned by Western Diplomatic Company Ltd – as they are selling liquor without licence.
The HC bench came up with the interim order following a writ filed by Murad Bhuiya, executive director of anti-narcotic organisation Save the Rural Development.
The HC bench also issued a ruling asking why legal action should not be taken against these restaurants. The home secretary, secretary of the Internal Wealth Department at the Finance Ministry, NCD director-general, DMP commissioner and owner of the Bellagio owner have to respond to the ruling within four weeks.
Advocate Iqbal Kabir Liton moved for the petitioner’s side, while Deputy Attorney General Mukhlesur Rahman moved for the state side.