The High Court has issued a rule asking why the inaction of the authorities to control fireworks and lanterns should not be declared illegal.
The HC bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Md Atabullah passed the order on Sunday.
Seven people, including the secretaries of the home ministry, Energy and Minerals Resources Division and fisheries and livestock ministry, the inspector general of police, and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner, have been asked to respond to the rule within four weeks.
The HC bench passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed by environmentalists and animal rights organisations.
Advocate Sheikh Rafiqul Islam stood for the writ petitioners. He was accompanied by Barrister Sheikh Rubaiyat Islam. Deputy Attorney General Tushar Kanti Roy and Assistant Attorney General Selim Azad represented the state.
Earlier on January 11, environmentalist and animal rights organization Save the Nature of Bangladesh, Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) and human rights organization Gono Adhikar Foundation filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking appropriate legal steps and effective role of the government agencies in controlling fireworks and lanterns.