HC issues rule on displaying fitness certificates on vehicle bodies

The High Court has issued a rule asking why a directive should not be given to display fitness certificates on the body or windscreen of vehicles. The order was passed following the initial hearing of a writ petition filed in the public interest to ensure road safety and stop the movement of unfit and hazardous vehicles.

At the same time, the court has also sought explanations on why the failure of the authorities to form police and fire service quick response teams in accident-prone areas, install 360-degree cameras inside and outside public transport to curb reckless driving, and prevent the conversion of single-decker buses into double-deckers should not be declared illegal.

A High Court bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar issued the rule on Sunday (July 26) after the initial hearing of a writ petition. The respondents have been asked to respond to the rule within four weeks.

Supreme Court lawyer Md Bahauddin Al Imran filed the writ petition after being seriously injured in a road accident involving Saint Martin Paribahan in the Basantapur area of the Dhaka-Chattogram highway.

The High Court also asked why a directive should not be given to compensate lawyer Bahauddin Al Imran with Tk 50 lakh. Additionally, the court directed the chairman of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Trust Board to dispose of his application for compensation from the accident within the next 30 days.

The writ petition was argued by Barrister Sanjid Siddiqui.