Data source
Date of text
27 Mar 2002
Country
Seat of court
Dhaka
Original language

English

Type of text
National - higher court
Reference number
22 BLD (HCD) 2002 345
Court name
Supreme Court of Bangladesh
Justice(s)
Ruhul Amin M. M.
Khademul Islam Chowdhury
Sources
InforMEA

This case was concerned with a writ petition arguing that the environment of Dhaka City and health of its inhabitants were threatened by vehicle emissions of hazardous smokes and noises. The petitioners found that, according to the legal standards set by laws on air and noise pollution levels, many vehicles motors’ were faulty and unfit for traffic and operated without a pollution-related fitness certificate or with a certificate that was wrongfully awarded. Additionally, petroleum products used by vehicles in Dhaka contained hazardous substances possibly affecting the residents’ health. The Ministry of Environment and Forest also pointed out that the pollution in major cities of Bangladesh adversely affected foreign investment and tourism.

The Court held that the respondents had failed to properly implement the regulations required to control pollution levels and ordered preventive measures to lessen its effects.