SC orders reinstatement of 85 upazila election officials

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has ordered the reinstatement of 85 upazila election officials who were dismissed during the military-backed caretaker government in 2007.

The court also directed that all benefits and entitlements previously granted to these officers be restored. Additionally, the families of the three officers who passed away during the legal proceedings are to receive the same benefits.

A five-member bench of the Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, passed the order following an appeal and four separate review petitions challenging a verdict issued by the apex court on September 1, 2022.

The 85 officials, who were appointed during the tenure of the alliance government of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, were dismissed on September 3, 2007, under the caretaker government regime, on the grounds that their appointments were politically motivated.