Take step to stop open defecation, smoking: HC

Staff Reporter :
The High Court on Sunday issued a rule upon the concerned bodies of the government to explain as to why the failure of the respondents in preventing smoking, urination and spitting on roads or footpaths in public should not be declared illegal.
It also wanted to know in the rule as to why the respondents should not be directed to take necessary steps to prevent smoking, urination and spitting on roads or footpaths in public.
The High Court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Muhammad Mahbub Ul Islam passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed in this regard.
The court also wanted to know in the rule as to why the respondents should not be directed to implement the relevant laws those barred smoking, urination and spitting on roads or footpaths in public.
Health Secretary, Roads and Highways Division Secretary, Home Secretary, Mayors of Dhaka South, Dhaka North, Rajshahi, Cumilla, Sylhet city corporations, Inspector General of Police (IGP) and others have been asked to comply with the rule.
Supreme Court lawyer Md Golam Rahman Bhuiyan sent a legal notice on February 13 in 2023 upon the respondents seeking steps to prevent smoking, urination and spitting in public. Finally he filed the writ petition as no response was found from them.
Lawyer Golam Rahman appeared in the court hearing in support of his prayer, while Deputy Attorney General Samarendra Nath Biswas represented the state.