HC orders BUET study on mobile tower radiation risks

The High Court has directed the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to conduct a research study through Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) to assess the potential health and environmental risks posed by mobile phone tower radiation.

A High Court bench comprising Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil issued the order on Wednesday following a hearing on a writ petition filed by the rights organization Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB). 

The court ordered the BTRC to submit a comprehensive report on the findings within the next six months and scheduled the next hearing for December 2.

The legal action stems from a 2019 petition filed after media reports highlighted that radiation from mobile towers could harm humans, animals, and plants. 

In response to that petition, the court had previously directed the BTRC in April 2019 to monitor radiation levels and formulate guidelines restricting tower installations near schools, hospitals, and residential areas.

During the proceedings, BUET Professor Kamrul Hasan presented expert observations and submitted a written report on April 30, 2024. 

His report recommended reducing radiation levels and emphasized the urgent need for local research to determine the actual extent of biological damage caused by such emissions in Bangladesh.

Advocate Manzill Murshid, representing HRPB, stated that the court’s latest directive specifically tasks the BTRC with funding and facilitating the BUET research project. 

Additionally, the regulator must submit a compliance report regarding the implementation of restrictions on installing towers in densely populated and sensitive locations.

The BTRC was represented by Advocate Manzur Nahid during the hearing, while Advocate Sanjay Mandal assisted Manzill Murshid for the petitioner.