DHAKA: The High Court rejected all three writ petitions filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia challenging the Election Commission’s decision cancelling her nomination papers by the returning officers.
The HC bench of Justice JBM Hassan on Tuesday (Dec 18) passed the rejection order after hearing arguments from Attorney General Mahbubey Alam.
Following the HC order, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said after the rejection order, Khaleda Zia will not be able to compete in the 11th national election, slated for December 30.
Earlier in the day, the court also rejected Khalea’s “no-confidence” petition to the bench asked Khaleda’s lawyers to start placing argument on the writ petitions.
Hearing the orders, BNP lawyers AJ Mohammad Ali, Barrister Badrudduza Badal left the courtroom.
Later, Mahbubey Alam placed his argument opposing the petitions filed by Khaleda.
The chief justice, earlier, had assigned the single bench of the HC to dispose of three writ petitions challenging cancellation of Khaleda's nomination papers filed for vying the general election from Feni-1, Bogura-6 and Bogura-7 constituencies.
Earlier on December 11, the High Court has delivered a split order on three writ petitions filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia that challenged rejection of her nominations by the Election Commission (EC).
Senior Judge of an HC bench Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed issued a rule postponing the EC order for Khaleda.
Justice Md Iqbal Kabir, of the same bench, disagreed with the order.
Then, the pleas were sent to the Chief Justice as the two judges gave dissenting order.
On December 10, the same HC bench of Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir fixed Tuesday to deliver judgment on the pleas of Khaleda Zia to contest in the national polls.
Senior lawyer AK Mohammad Ali stood for Khaleda Zia while Attorney General Mahbubey Alam for the state.
The BNP chief’s nomination forms for Feni-1 and Bogra-6 and 7 seats were cancelled during the scrutiny by the Returning officers on Dec 2.
Her lawyers filed writ petitions with the HC on behalf of her on Dec 9, after the EC had rejected appeals of her.
BDST: 1407 HRS, DEC 18, 2018
RS/SMS
