Staff Reporter :
The High Court on Wednesday declared illegal an Appellate Board’s decision that cancelled the candidacy of Zayed Khan and announced Nipun Akter the newly-elected General Secretary of the Film Artistes’ Association.
The High Court Bench of Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman delivered the verdict after hearing a writ petition filed by Zayed Khan challenging the Appellate Board’s decision against him.
Election commission’s decision declaring Zayed Khan as the General Secretary of the association has been upheld following the High Court verdict.
Lawyer Ahsanul Karim who appeared in the High Court hearing for Zayed Khan said, “After the election, the commission declared Zayed Khan as the General Secretary of the Film Artistes’ Association. The commission’s decision has been upheld by the High Court now.
The court has declared illegal the Appellate Board’s decision that announced Nipun Akter as the newly-elected General Secretary of the association.”
Now there is no legal bar for Zayed Khan to perform his duties as General Secretary of Film Artists’ Association following the HC order, added the lawyer.
Meanwhile, Nipun’s lawyer Mustafizur Rahman Khan said they will move appeal petition with the Appellate Division against the High Court order.
The election of the Film Artistes’ Association was held on January 28 this year. After the election, the commission declared that actor Zayed Khan was re-elected General Secretary of the association. Later Nipun gave written representation to the Election Appellate Board against his main contestant Zayed Khan over breach of code of conduct.
On February 5, Sohanur Rahman Sohan, head of the Appellate Board, announced the disqualification of Zayed Khan through a press conference. He at the same time also declared Nipun Akter as the newly-elected General Secretary of the association.
In this circumstance Zayed Khan filed a writ petition with the High Court challenging the Appellate Board’s decision against him. After primary hearing on the petition, the High Court issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain as to why the Appellate Board’s decision should not be declared illegal.
It also stayed for a week the Appellate Board’s decision that cancelled the candidacy of Zayed Khan and declared Nipun Akter as the newly-elected general secretary of the Film Artistes’ Association.
After final hearing on the rule the High Court on Wednesday declared the rule absolute, which means Election Appellate Board’s decision is illegal.
Lawyers Ahsanul Karim, Nahid Sultana Juthi and Mujibul Haque Bhuiyan appeared in the hearing for Zayed Khan, while lawyers Rokanuddin Mahmud and Mustafizur Rahman appeared for Nipun Akter.
Earlier, Nipun appealed against the High Court’s interim order passed on February 7. Upon hearing the petition, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on February 14 upheld its chamber judge’s order that issued a status quo on performing the General Secretary post saying none could hold the post of General Secretary till further order.
The SC also asked the lawyers of both sides to hold hearing in the High Court on the rule over this issue as per schedule. Accordingly the High Court held hearing on it and delivered the verdict on Wednesday.
