Hearing on Kashem’s review petition Jun 5

DHAKA: The full bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice M Mozamnmel Hossain Thurday fixed June 5 for hearing on the review petition filed by Abul Kashem against the SC verdict.

Earlier on Wednesday, Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, chamber judge of the Appellate Division, also fixed May 31 for hearing on the review petition.

On Tuesday last, the three-member Appellate Division bench headed by Chief Justice M Mozamnmel Hossain passed order after dismissing an appeal filed by Kashem against the HC verdict.

On December 15, 2009, the HC voided Kashem’s parliamentary membership and declared his election candidacy illegal as he was found a loan and telephone bill defaulter.

The High Court came up with the verdict upon an election petition filed by BNP candidate Major General (retd) Mahmudul Hasan, who got the second highest number of votes from the constituency in December 29, 2008 elections, challenging the Election Commission’s decision of declaring Kashem a valid candidate for the elections.

Mahmudul alleged that Abul Kashem was a loan defaulter of Tk 15.44 crore of Sonali Bank, Bangabandhu Avenue Branch, Dhaka and a telephone bill defaulter of Tk 32,000 till November 30, 2008.

In its order, the HC also asked the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to declare Hasan elected for the constituency.

Following the HC order, Mahmudul, a BNP-backed candidate, was scheduled to be sworn May 30.

But, the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday stayed the administration of oath to Major General (retd) Mahmudul Hasan as lawmaker for Tangail-5 constituency till Thursday.

Chamber judge of the Appellate Division of SC passed the order following a prayer moved by Advocate Anisul Huq, a counsel for Abul Kashem.

Abul Kashem, a Jatiya Party candidate, was elected Member of Parliament in the elections held on December 29, 2008.

BDST: 1846 HRS, MAY 31, 2012
Edited by:Mohammed Humayun Kabir, Sr Newsroom Editor / M. Mahbub Alam, Asst Output Editor