1st phase hearing on writ against Ishraque's oath ends

The High Court Division of the Supreme Court on Wednesday concluded the first phase of the hearing on a writ petition challenging the legality of administering the oath of office to BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). The court scheduled the matter for further hearing and an interim order on Thursday, May 22.

The writ petition, filed under Article 102 of the Constitution, was heard by the vacation bench comprising Justice Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury on the afternoon of May 21. The bench fixed the following day for continuation of the hearing and possible issuance of an interim directive.

Advocate Mohammad Hossain appeared on behalf of petitioner Mamunur Rashid, who filed the writ on May 14. The petitioner sought a rule nisi calling upon the respondents to explain why the swearing-in of Ishraque Hossain should not be stayed, and why disciplinary action should not be taken against the judge of the election tribunal who delivered the contested verdict.

The petition also requested declaratory relief regarding the legality of subsequent administrative actions taken in light of the tribunal's ruling.

Deputy Attorney General Mahfuzur Rahman Milon represented the state, while Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon appeared for respondent Ishraque Hossain.

The dispute stems from a verdict by the Election Tribunal that on March 27 annulled the mayoral victory of Awami League-backed candidate Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and declared Ishraque Hossain the validly elected mayor of DSCC. The Election Commission subsequently issued a gazette notification formalising the tribunal's decision on April 27.

Meanwhile, political tension continues to escalate as protests demanding Ishraque's immediate swearing-in entered their seventh consecutive day. Demonstrators under the banner of Dhakabasi have relocated their protest to the vicinity of Matsya Bhaban in Dhaka, after earlier staging demonstrations in front of Nagar Bhaban following the gazette's publication.