The Supreme Court judge today ruled for one month on the High Court order asking the government to take steps to stop the plying of battery-powered autorickskaws on Dhaka roads.

Justice Md Rezaul Haque, a chamber judge of the SC Appellate Division, said battery-operated rickshaws and auto rickshaws can ply in the city during this period as the livelihood of their owners and drivers are involved in this problem.

The Supreme Court judge also asked the HC to take a decision in the matter in a month.

The bench judge passed the order following a petition filed by the government seeking a stay on the HC order.

Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman represented the government while advocate Shanjid Siddique defended the petitioners during the hearing of the petition.

On November 20, the HC directed the government authorities concerned to take necessary steps to stop the plying of battery rickshaws and auto rickshaws on the streets of the capital within three days, within the aim of reducing road accidents.

It also issued a rule requiring authorities to explain why their refusal to stop the movement of these vehicles should not be declared illegal.

The directive was issued by Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi, following a writ petition filed by the Greater Dhaka City Corporation Rickshaw Owners Unity Alliance.

The petition challenged authorities’ inaction to prevent unlicensed battery rickshaws from plying in the city, the petitioners’ lawyer, advocate Shanjid Siddique, told The Daily Star that day.