The High Court on Wednesday directed the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to conduct a research study through Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) on the potential health risks and damage caused by radiation from mobile towers and submit a report within six months.
A High Court bench of Justice J B M Hassan and Justice Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan passed the order following a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB).
The court asked BTRC to conduct the study based on recommendations and findings submitted by BUET Professor Kamrul Hasan to determine the extent of health hazards linked to mobile tower radiation in Bangladesh.
The writ petition was filed in the public interest after media reports claimed radiation from mobile towers was causing harm to humans, animals, birds and vegetation.
Earlier on 25 April 2019, the High Court directed BTRC to carry out field-level surveys and take steps to reduce radiation levels from mobile towers.
The court also ordered authorities to update guidelines to stop installation of mobile towers in densely populated areas, including schools, colleges, universities and court premises.
Later, a BTRC-formed committee submitted a report recommending that existing radiation levels remain unchanged.
HRPB objected to the report, saying neighbouring countries, including India, maintain radiation limits nearly 10 times lower than those in Bangladesh.
The organisation later sought the court’s permission to hear opinions from BUET experts.
On 28 February 2024, the court ordered expert testimony in the case.
Following the directive, BUET Professor Kamrul Hasan appeared before the court and submitted a written report on 30 April 2024.
In the report, he recommended reducing mobile tower radiation levels and conducting a dedicated research study to assess the specific impacts of radiation exposure in Bangladesh.
