The government has filed a petition with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court seeking stay on a High Court order that asked to take steps to stop plying of their vehicles on the Dhaka roads.

"The stay petition has been filed yesterday afternoon. Its hearing will be held before the chamber judge of the Appellate Division this afternoon, " Deputy Attorney Nur Muhammad Azami told The Daily Star this morning.

On November 20, the HC directed the government authorities concerned to take necessary measures to stop the plying of battery-run rickshaws and auto-rickshaws on the capital's streets within three days, aiming to reduce road accidents.

It also issued a rule asking the authorities to explain why their failure to halt the operation of these vehicles should not be declared illegal.

The directive was issued by the bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi, following a writ petition filed by Greater Dhaka City Corporation Rickshaw Owners Unity Alliance.

The petition challenged the authorities' lack of action in preventing unlicenced battery-run rickshaws from operating in the city, petitioners' lawyer Barrister Shanjid Siddique told The Daily Star on that day.