HC declares 'safe water' as fundamental right

The High Court in it's verdict has declared safe food and usable water as a fundamental right for every citizen of the country.

Earlier, the HC issued a suo moto rule in 2020 seeking whether it is the responsibility of the state to provide safe drinking water to all citizens, or whether the right to safe water can be declared as a fundamental right of every citizen.

A bench led by Justice Md Ashraful Kamal and Justice Kazi Waliul Islam passed the verdict on Thursday (February 27) after the final hearing of the rule.

Barrister Mohammad Humayon Kabir Pallab confirmed the court's verdict.

According to Article 32 of the Bangladesh Constitution, every citizen has a fundamental right to safe and pure drinking water and it is the responsibility of the state to ensure this right, said the court.

Additionally, the court has given several instructions to ensure the supply of safe drinking water.

The court has assured that safe drinking water must be provided at all major public places in Bangladesh within one year, and accessible, affordable water for all citizens within ten years.

Moreover, the court has ordered the government to submit a report by 2026 on the progress of providing free safe water in public areas. Subsequently, the government has been instructed to protect all water sources in Bangladesh to prevent degradation, drying up, contamination, and pollution.

Senior Lawyer Advocate Manjil Morshed, Barrister Mohammad Humayon Kabir Pallab and Minhajul Haque Chowdhury gave their opinions as 'amicus curiae' in the hearing of the case.