In a potentially landmark verdict for working mothers in particular, the High Court on Sunday ordered concerned authorities to set up breastfeeding corners in public places, offices (both government and private), airports, bus stops and railway stations.

The HC bench of Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury and Justice Kazi Ebadoth Hossain passed the order after hearing a rule in this connection.

Advocate Ishrat Hasan, the petitioner, said the court asked the authorities concerned to establish breastfeeding corners in public places including government and private organisations, bus and train stations, shopping malls, workplaces and airports. The full range of locations covered will be known once the full verdict comes out.

On October 27, the High Court issued a rule asking the government to explain why directives should not be given to take steps to set up breastfeeding corners in working places, airports, bus stands, railway stations, shopping malls and all government, semi-government and private institutions.

Advocate Ishrat Hasan filed the writ petition in public interest, including her then nine-month-old son Umair Bin Sadi as a co-petitioner.

On February 18, 2020, the High Court asked the authorities concerned to set up breastfeeding corners in all factories and mills across the country within two months.

According to the writ petition, Ishrat was prompted to file it after she was unable to breastfeed Umair when they were stuck at Cox's Bazaar airport as their flight to return to Dhaka got delayed.