High Court issues rule over ‘excessive’ MFS transaction fees

The High Court has issued a rule asking why the service charges imposed by mobile financial service (MFS) providers bKash, Nagad and Rocket should not be declared illegal, unconstitutional and contrary to law over allegations of arbitrary and excessive fees.

The court also sought an explanation as to why authorities should not be directed to enact a separate Mobile Financial Services Act to ensure reasonable, affordable service charges, stronger consumer protection and greater accountability, particularly for low-income and unbanked users.

A High Court bench comprising Justice Md Mujibur Rahman Mia and Justice Md Rezaul Karim passed the order on Sunday (July 26) after a preliminary hearing on a public interest writ petition.

The petition was argued by Advocate Obaidullah Al Mamun Sakib, who filed the writ in the public interest.

The court directed the respondents—including the secretaries of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, the Governor of Bangladesh Bank, and other relevant authorities—to respond to the rule within four weeks.