SC stays HC bar on gambling in clubs

The Supreme Court yesterday stayed a High Court order that directed the government to stop gambling including cards, dice, and housie at 13 renowned clubs, including Dhaka Club.

The apex court also asked the High Court to hear and dispose of the rule issued questioning the legality of gambling at the club in eight weeks from January 2 next year, Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal, a lawyer for Dhaka Club, told The Daily Star.

The stay order will remain in force until disposal of the HC rule, he added.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice SK Sinha passed the order following a leave to appeal petition filed by the Dhaka Club authorities challenging the HC order.

On December 4, following a writ petition, the HC asked the government to stop gambling at the 13 clubs and issued the rule.

The 12 other clubs are Uttara Club, Gulshan Club, Dhanmondi Club, Banani Club, Officers' Club Dhaka, Ladies' Club Dhaka, Cadet College Club Dhaka, Chittagong Club, Chittagong Seniors' Club, Narayanganj Club, Sylhet Club, and Khulna Club.