• Restoration paves way for Jamaat to challenge High Court’s 2013 decision declaring its registration illegal

BSS, Dhaka

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) Tuesday restored Jamaat-e-Islami’s appeal against the High Court verdict that had declared its registration as a political party, illegal.

“Restored,” said the apex court’s four-member bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed after holding a hearing on a civil appeal filed for Jamaat.

Barrister Ehsan A Siddique and Advocate Mohammad Shishier Manir argued for the Jamaat’s plea before the Appellate Division.

Because of the order, the party will be allowed to take part in the hearing on an appeal against the 2013 High Court verdict that had declared its registration as a political party, illegal.

After hearing a writ petition filed by 25 people, including Rezaul Haque Chandpuri, then secretary general of Bangladesh Tariqat Federation, the High Court declared Jamaat-e-Islami’s registration as a political party illegal on August 1, 2013.

Jamaat filed an appeal with the Appellate Division, challenging the High Court verdict. But the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on November 19, 2023, upheld the High Court judgment, while it passed the order as ‘dismissal for default’, as the defendants’ principal lawyer AJ Mohammad Ali and Advocate-On-Record Zainul Abedin failed to appear before the court on that day and pleaded for time.

“Our plea was not heard or did not get disposed of after holding a hearing at the Appellate Division. It was ‘dismissed for default’. That is why we had pleaded to restore our appeal, and it has been accepted today. Now, if the apex court allows our appeal against the High Court judgment, we will get back our registration,” Advocate Mohammad Shishier Manir told newsmen.