HC seeks explanation on 999 service inefficiency, response delay

The High Court has issued a rule over allegations of delays in the national emergency service 999, multiple transfers of calls, and failure to ensure swift police assistance.

The rule was issued by a High Court bench comprising Justice Md Habibul Ghani and Justice Syed Mohammad Tajrul Hossain on Tuesday, August 25, following a preliminary hearing on a public interest writ petition. Advocate Sayka Kabir argued for the writ.

The court in its rule asked to explain why the delay in providing service after calling the national emergency service 999, transferring calls multiple times, failure to ensure effective GPS-based location and caller identification systems, and failure to dispatch the nearest police force, patrol team or unit to the scene swiftly should not be declared illegal and unconstitutional.

The court also sought to know whether the failure to formulate, implement and maintain an effective 'Zero FIR' system has infringed upon citizens' right to timely police protection and access to justice.

The writ has named the Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director or officer-in-charge of the national emergency service 999, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as respondents.