Staff Reporter :
The Supreme Court (SC) on Sunday asked the High Court (HC) to hear and dispose of the rule issued questioning the legality of gambling, including cards, dice and housie in 13 renowned clubs of the country within eight weeks.
The apex court also stayed the High Court order that directed the government to stop gambling those clubs until disposing of the rule.
A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha passed the order following a leave to appeal petition filed by Dhaka Club authorities challenging the HC order.
On December 4 after hearing a writ petition, the HC asked the government to stop gambling in the 13 Clubs.
On that day, the HC also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain in four weeks as to why they should not be directed to take actions against the unlawful business and indoor games of cards, dice and housie in exchange of money.
The 13 clubs are Dhaka Club, Uttara Club Ltd, Gulshan Club Ltd, Dhanmondi Club Ltd, Banani Club Ltd, Officers’ Club Dhaka, Ladies’ Club Dhaka, Cadet College Club Dhaka, Chittagong Club Ltd, Chittagong Seniors’ Club Ltd, Narayanganj Club Ltd, Sylhet Club Ltd and Khulna Club Ltd.
Barrister Fida M Kamal and Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal took part in the hearing on behalf of the Dhaka Club while Advocate A F Hasan Arif and Barrister Redwan Ahmed Ranjib stood for the petitioners.
Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal said that the SC asked the HC to dispose of the rule within eight weeks after the recent vacation. The HC order would be stayed until then.
Two Supreme Court lawyers Samiul Huq and Barrister Rokonuddin Md Faruq filed the petition challenging the legality of unlawful business and indoor games of cards, dice and housie in exchange of money in those clubs.
