BLUE WHALE CHALLENGE HC asks govt to block game link

The High Court Division on Monday directed the government to block for six months, Blue Whale Challenge, and similar online games that inspire teens’ suicide.
A bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and JBM Hassan passed the order after hearing a writ petition.
In the writ petition, three Supreme Court lawyers sought directives on the government to block Blue Whale Challenge and the other deadly games.
Among the petitioners was SC lawyer Subrata Bardhan.
Subrata suspects that the suicide of his daughter Opurba Bardhan Swarna, a class VII student of Holy Cross School, was encouraged by Blue Whale Challenge.
She terminated her life on October 5. 
The bench also directed the government to hold a probe by monitoring committee, comprising of experts, to find out whether or not Blue Whale Challenge encouraged any person to commit suicide, took suicide attempts or put anyone at the risk of suicide. 
The court directed the authorities to provide psychological counseling to any Blue Whale Challenge game player facing the risk of suicide.
Respondents, secretaries of the ministries of Post and Telecommunications as well as Home and Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission chairman to report compliance.
The bench also directed all mobile phone operators to stop offering special internet packages at discounts from the midnight to 6 AM
over the next six months.
The bench also issued a rule directing the respondents to explain why they would not be directed to block Blue Whale Challenge and the other dangerous games that encourage suicides.
The respondents were also directed to explain why they would not be directed to formulate the guidelines to protect citizens from the dangerous and deadly consequences of the games. 

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net