The High Court yesterday ordered the police to evict shallow engine-run human haulers – Nasimon, Karimon and Votvoti – from the highways of 10 south-western districts within seven days.
The HC bench of Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury and Justice Md Habibul Gani passed the order following a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Asaduzzaman Siddique.
The court has ordered the deputy inspector general (highways) and police superintendents of Jessore, Khulna, Jhenaidah, Magura, Meherpur, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Narail, Kushtia and Chuadanga to execute the order.
It asked the authorities concerned to explain why the Motor Vehicle Ordinance should not be followed in allowing these vehicles on the highways.
The bench also wanted to know why such three-wheelers should not be ordered off the road.
The home secretary, finance secretary, inspector general of police, DIG (highway), Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s deputy commissioner (Traffic), Bangladesh Road Transport Authority chairman and SPs of the 10 districts have been asked to reply.
Manzill Murshid pleaded for the petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General Mokleshur Rahman represented the government during the hearing.
Manzill said these types of vehicles operated on the highways illegally, causing deaths and accidents.