An Appellate Division four-member bench headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha passed the order yesterday following a leave-to-appeal petition filed by the Dhaka Club authorities challenging the High Court order.
The court also asked the High Court bench to hear and dispose of a ruling it had issued questioning gambling in the clubs by that time frame.
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.
In response to a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyers Samiul Huq and Rokonuddin Md Faruq, the High Court on December 4 ordered stopping of gambling at these clubs.
Citing the DMP Ordinance 1976, Chittagong Metropolitan Police Ordinance 1978 and Public Gambling Act 1867, the petition had said that any kind of gambling is illegal in Bangladesh. But these clubs organise gambling for their members. They even put information on gambling on their websites.
The High Court had also asked the authorities concerned to explain why directives should not be given to take actions against unlawful business and indoor games mainly cards, dice and housie playing in exchange of money, wager, stakes or any other benefits.
Thursday, March 27, 2025
