The High Court has directed the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to conduct a research project through Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) to assess the potential damage caused by radiation from mobile network towers.
The order was passed today (13 May) by a High Court bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan.
Lawyer Manzill Murshid, representing the petitioner, said the court asked BTRC to carry out a project-based study in line with the report of Buet Professor Kamrul Hasan to determine health risks posed by radiation from mobile towers installed in Bangladesh.
The court directed that the report be submitted within the next six months.
At the same time, the court ordered the authorities to submit a compliance report after taking steps in line with earlier directives and observations, particularly by incorporating provisions in the guidelines to prevent installation of towers in public places such as schools, colleges, universities and court premises.
The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for 2 December.
The writ petition was filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) after media reports alleged that radiation from mobile towers was harming humans, animals, birds and plants.
Following lengthy hearings, the High Court on 25 April 2019 made the rule absolute and directed BTRC to conduct field surveys and take measures to reduce radiation exposure levels where possible.
The court also observed that the guidelines should include provisions barring installation of such towers in crowded places including schools, colleges, universities and court areas.
Later, BTRC formed a committee and submitted a report recommending that previous radiation levels remain unchanged.
In response, HRPB raised objections and argued that several neighbouring countries, including India, had already reduced permissible radiation levels to one-tenth of existing standards.
The organisation urged the court to adopt similar measures in Bangladesh and sought expert opinions from BUET specialists.
Following this, on 28 February 2024, the court ordered that expert opinions be heard.
Following a court order issued on 28 February 2024, Professor Kamrul Hasan appeared before the court and submitted a written report on 30 April 2024 recommending lower radiation levels from mobile towers and proposing a comprehensive study on their possible health impacts in Bangladesh.
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