The High Court has issued nine directives for those conducting business using online platforms in the country.
On Monday, this information was revealed in the published verdict of the High Court bench comprising Justice Mostafa Zaman Islam and Justice SM Masud Hossain Dolon. The High Court delivered this verdict while disposing of the rule regarding the reopening of the showroom "Sanvee's by Tony" owned by the widely discussed entrepreneur Robaiyat Fatema Tony, on social media.
The nine directives mentioned in the verdict are as follows:
Everyone must adhere to the prevailing laws of Bangladesh. A relationship must be maintained between online business owners and consumers.
In case of legal violations in operating an online business, the aggrieved party will have the right to equal protection under the law.
Every citizen will have the right to conduct any lawful business, and their business cannot be shut down without due legal process.
The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection should take necessary measures to bring all online business owners/members under registration and grant them approval to operate their online businesses.
It must be ensured that no one can run or even start an unauthorized online business on any online platform. It is essential to confirm that no clothing retailer can manufacture all items of foreign-branded products and that online platforms are not used to sell counterfeit products as genuine ones.
This legal framework must ensure that all types of online business institutions verify their administrators, owners, and consumers using personal national identity cards.
Regulatory authorities like BTRC must cooperate with online e-commerce platforms to store information about online business entities.
The relevant authorities are instructed to raise awareness among online consumers to prevent them from falling victim to fraud by online traders. Consumers should not purchase products from online shops, online ventures, or online suppliers that do not have approval or registration.
The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection should incorporate necessary legal provisions under the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009, to prosecute fraudulent online businesses.
In the verdict, the High Court directed that Robaiyat Fatema Tony be allowed to operate her showroom "Sanvee's by Tony." To ensure proper oversight according to the law, her business establishment must be inspected at least once a month.
Earlier, the National Directorate of Consumer Rights Protection shut down the Gulshan showroom ‘Sanvish by Tony’ following allegations of fraud. She was accused of selling locally made garments at higher prices by falsely claiming them to be Pakistani products.
Later, on June 10, 2024, the High Court ordered the reopening of Robaiyat Fatema Tony's closed showroom, 'Sanvish by Tony.' However, the court also ruled that the showroom must not sell Pakistani clothing. The bench of Justice Mostafa Zaman Islam and Justice SM Masud Hossain Dolon issued this order. In court, lawyer Md Khalequzzaman represented Tony, while lawyer Lubna Yasmin appeared for the opposing side.
