The High Court (HC) on Tuesday scrapped BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s writ, challenging Election Commission (EC) decision to cancel her nomination papers to take part in the upcoming general polls.
The High Court single-judge bench of Justice J. B. M. Hassan passed the order, cancelling Khaleda’s three writs filed in this regard.
The High Court on December 11 passed a split order over the matter.
A High Court division bench comprising Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed and Justice Md. Iqbal Kabir passed the order as the first one stayed the EC decision and issued a rule, while the other judge disagreed with his senior colleague.
After that the case was sent to Chief Justice, who formed a third bench to dispose of the matter.
“The order of the third judge here is final. As her writs were scrapped by the third judge, she will no longer be able to take part in the polls,” Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said.
Senior lawyer AJ Mohammad Ali moved the BNP chief’s case before the court, while Attorney General Mahbubey Alam stood for the state. Khaleda, convicted and sentenced to different jail terms in two graft cases, filed her nomination papers from jail to take part in the upcoming general polls from Feni-1, Bogura-6 and 7 constituencies.
The EC as per legal bindings cancelled her nomination papers on December 2, prompting Khaleda to appeal against the decision, which were also scrapped
subsequently on December 8.
Later the BNP chief filed writs against the EC decision with the High
Court.
bbarta/IF
