Writ Petition No. 2060 of 2001

High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh

Facts: BLAST filed a writ petition challenging the failure of the Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB) to take legal action against the Members of the Fifth and Seventh Parliaments respecting non-payment of arrears of telephone bills amounting to crores of takas. The Members of Parliament drew their allowances in accordance with the provisions of the Members of Parliament (Salaries and Allowances) Order, 1973 and received monthly allowances for telephone bills, but had reportedly not repaid their dues.

Argument: The petitioners argued that the continued inaction of the BTTB officials in initiating proceedings under the relevant provisions of law constituted a violation of the rights to equal treatment and protection of law. The MPs are entitled to some privileges under the Members of Parliament (Salaries and Allowances) Order, 1973 and if there is violation of any provision, they are liable like any other subscribers of the BTTB under the existing and prevalent provisions of law.

Order: The High Court delivered a judgment on 27.04.2006 directing the authorities to initiate steps for realizing the dues outstanding from the defaulting MPs within six months, and in case of the members’ failure to repay outstanding bills within reasonable time, to take actions against them as per the provisions of law.

Laws Cited: Constitution, Article 31 and 21; Members of Parliament (Salaries and Allowances) Order, 1973

Status: Judgment delivered