Staff Reporter :
The High Court has asked the Bangladesh Railway to stop travelling by passengers on the roof of the trains. If this dangerous transportation is not stopped, the court has warned the concerned that it will take tough action against them.
At the same time, the High Court wanted to know what steps have been taken to stop black marketing and mismanagement of railway tickets. The railway administration has been asked to comply with the queries within July 31 this year.
The High Court bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the order on Thursday on a Suo Moto (voluntary) move, after they noticed the protest of Dhaka University student Mohiuddin Rony demanding an end to irregularities and mismanagement of the Bangladesh Railway (BR).
Joint Director General (Operation) of railway A M Saleh Uddin, Director (Traffic) Nahid Hasan Khan, and online ticket platform Shohoz.com’s Vice-President Jubaer Hossain also were present in the court at that time.
Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik appeared in the court hearing on behalf of the state, while Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan appeared for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Addressing the railway officers, the presiding judge of the High Court bench Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder said, “Why do the people travel on the roof of the trains? Is this the way to earn your money? Trains are our national asset. Do you want to swallow it?”
In reply railway official A M Saleh Uddin said, “We could not stop passengers to travel on the roof of the trains. There are some limitations, but ultimately this is our failure.”
Then the judge wanted to know “Those who are going on the roof or standing, are they not paying? It is corruption. How will the country run, if you express helplessness in this way? You have to be strict in your duty. Nothing is impossible. It has been 50 years since the country became independent. The image of the country is being tarnished due to some syndicates in all sectors.”
Shohoz.com’s Vice-President Jubaer Hossain told the court that one has to pay within 15 minutes to buy a ticket through online process, but Mohiuddin Rony paid after about one hour. That is why he didn’t get the ticket, the official also said added that they have already returned the money to Rony.
ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan said, “Shohoz.com can’t get rid of allegations saying this. The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) found their irregularities and imposed a fine of Tk 0.2 million. Then Jubaer said they would appeal against the verdict of the DNCRP.
Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik said, “The court wanted to know about the protest of Mohiuddin Rony and his demands. I communicated with the Director General of the Bangladesh Railway over the issue. He (DG of Railway) said an initiative has been taken to form a committee to see the allegations and demands of Mohiuddin Rony. The committee would be asked to submit a report within seven days.”
Representatives of the Bangladesh Railway attended the court on behalf of with the Director General, said the state law officer adding that the court heard the statement of the railway officials and asked them not to carry passengers on the roof of the trains.
The court also asked the officials to stop black marketing of rail tickets and to submit a report in the court within July 31.
