The High Court on Tuesday directed the government to keep separate compartments for women in all passenger trains during the holidays for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha celebration.
The bench of Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Md Ashif Hasan issued the order following a supplementary application seeking directives for ensuring reserved compartments for the journey of women passengers during Eid-ul-Azha, likely to be celebrated in Bangladesh on May 27.
The court asked the secretary of the railway ministry, the secretary of the home ministry, the general manager of Bangladesh Railway and the government inspector of Bangladesh Railway to implement the directive.
On March 7, 2021, a High Court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice S M Maniruzzaman issued a rule asking the government to explain the failure of the respondents to implement sections 64 and 119 of the Bangladesh Railway Act, 1890 which requires ensuring a reserved compartment for females on trains, would not be declared illegal.
The court had also asked the respondents to explain why they would not be asked to reserve a compartment on the train only for female passengers.
The court issued the rule after hearing a public interest litigation writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Momtaj Parvin.
Parvin’ lawyer Md Ajmol Hossain Khokon said on Tuesday that the supplementary petition was filed seeking interim relief until the disposal of the writ petition filed in March 2021, challenging the authorities’ failure to implement Sections 64 and 119 of the Bangladesh Railway Act, 1890.
Ajmol said that the government had earlier introduced reserved compartments for women in passenger trains during Eid festivals.
However, after the political changeover, such facilities were reportedly not maintained in several intercity trains and metro rail services during the last Eid holidays.
The petition stated that women passengers again faced difficulties and harassment while travelling during Eid.
It also said that many women depend on trains to travel home during Eid and are legally entitled to reserved compartments for a safe and comfortable journey.
The court observed that ensuring reserved compartments for women during Eid travel was necessary for their safety and convenience.
