No gambling in clubs
The High Court yesterday directed the government to immediately stop gambling including cards, dice and housie at 13 renowned clubs, including Dhaka club.
The 12 other clubs are -- 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.
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 for money.
The HC bench of Justice Quamrul Islam Siddique and Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif came up with the order and rule following a writ petition filed by two Supreme Court lawyers Samiul Huq and Rokonuddin Md Faruq.
The petitioners' lawyer Barrister Redowan Ahmed Runjid told The Daily Star that gambling in exchange for money is illegal and a punishable offence under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance 1976, Chittagong Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1978 and Public Gambling Act, 1867 and Article 18(2) of the constitution.
But, the authorities concerned of the clubs arranged playing dice, cards and housie involving exchange of money on their premises in violation of the provisions, he said.
Home secretary, inspector general of police, commissioners of metropolitan police and deputy commissioners of Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna and Sylhet, and director general of Rab, and heads of the 13 clubs have been made respondents to the rule.
Deputy Attorney General Mokhlesur Rahman represented the government during the hearing.
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