Live Correspondent: The High Court (HC) has rejected a writ petition challenging the validity of the government's decision to ban the movement of motorbikes on the Padma Bridge.

A HC division bench comprising Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir rejected the writ on Sunday, said petitioner's advocate Yarul Islam

Directions were sought in the writ to allow plying motorcycles on the Padma Bridge.

Secretary of the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry, Bangladesh Bridge Authority and other relevant authorities were made respondents in the writ, filed by Bangladesh Republican Party president KM Abu Hanif Hridoy.

Padma Bridge was inaugurated on June 25 last year and it was opened for traffic the next day.

However, a number of bike accidents and casualties were reported on the first day.

On June 27, the government banned the movement of motorcycles on the Padma Bridge through an official notice until further orders.

Dhaka, 15 January (campuslive24.com)// AZ