Illegal gambling to continue at elite clubs until appeal is settled

Illegal indoor games will continue at 13 elite clubs as the Appellate Division is yet to settle an appeal against a High Court verdict that declared gambling illegal in exchange of money across the country.  

The Appellate Division led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmood Hossain ordered that the law enforcers can't raid the elite clubs for organising illegal indoor games until the appeal of the clubs is resolved.  

The court issued the order today after hearing appeals from 13 elite clubs. Barrister M Amirul Islam and Barrister Sumaiya Aziz stood in favor of the clubs in the court.

On February 10, High Court bench of Justice Sheikh Hasan Arif and Justice Md Mahmud Hasan Talukdar declared gambling illegal in exchange for money across the country.

Later 13 upscale clubs appealed against the verdict. They are- Dhaka Club, Uttara Club, Gulshan Club, Dhanmondi Club, Banani Club, Officers' Club, Dhaka Ladies' Club, Cadet College Club, Chittagong Club, Chittagong Seniors' Club, Narayanaganj Club, Sylhet Club, and Khulna Club.

On December 4, 2016, the High Court issued a ruling asking authorities concerned to explain why the illegal indoor games such as cards, dice and housey that are played in exchange for money in the clubs, should be not be directed to stop.

Barrister Redwan Ahmed, a lawyer for the writ, said that any form of gambling is a punishable offense according to Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance 1976, Chattogram Metropolitan Police Ordinance 1978 and Public Gaming Act 1867. At the same time, according to Article 18 (2) of the Constitution, the government has been asked to take necessary measures to stop prostitution and gambling.