Easy bikes cannot run on highways

The Supreme Court yesterday allowed three-wheelers, known as easy bikes, on roads in rural areas across the country. The apex court order means such vehicles cannot run on the highways.

The Appellate Division of the SC passed the order, modifying a High Court directive.

The HC on December 15 last year had directed the government to identify illegal three-wheeler easy-bikes plying and to take necessary steps to remove them.

The court also issued a rule asking the authorities to explain why their inaction in restraining import of illegal three-wheeler easy bikes and their manufacturing in the country should not be declared "illegal".

Yesterday, a three-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique passed the modified order following a petition filed by Bangladesh Electric Three-Wheeler Manufacturing and Merchant Association.

Other two judges of the bench are Justice Obaidul Hassan and Justice M Enayetur Rahim.

The apex court bench also asked the HC to dispose of the rule as early as possible.

Lawyer Tanya Amir appeared for the association.