Writ Petition No. 8404 of 2008

High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh

Facts: On 09.11.2008, BLAST, along with another human rights organisation, filed a writ petition challenging an invitation for bids for health services issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare inviting sealed proposals from eligible countries only in English.

Arguments: The petitioners claimed that the mandatory stipulation regarding language was in violation of the provisions of the Bangla Bhasha Procholon Ain, 1987 [Bangla Language Application Act].

Order: The High Court issued a Rule Nisi on 10.11.2008 calling upon the respondents to show cause as to why the provisions of this Act should not be complied with and why the mandatory requirement of the bid proposal being in English should not be declared to be without any lawful effect.

Laws Cited: Bangla Bhasha Procholon Ain, 1987

Status: Pending hearing