High Court questions authorities' inaction

The High Court yesterday issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why they should not be directed to take safety measures for preventing deaths caused by gas explosions throughout the country.

The court also asked the respondents to show causes why their inaction to take necessary steps should not be declared illegal.

Secretaries to power, energy and mineral resources ministry and Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission, the latter's chairman, and chief inspector of the department of explosives have been made respondents to the rule.

The HC bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader delivered the rule following a writ petition filed by Supreme Court (SC) lawyer Amit Das Gupta.

Earlier in the day, Amit submitted the petition seeking the HC order to take measures to prevent deaths in gas explosions.

Citing the petition, the petitioner told The Daily Star that accidents and deaths are happening in the country due to gas pipeline leaks and gas cylinder blasts.

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission, which issues permits for the use of gas cylinders, is responsible for preventing gas leaks and cylinder blasts, he said in the petition.

The commission, however, is reportedly not taking such measures and, therefore, their inaction in preventing the accidents is illegal, he added.