SC clears way for Manna to contest polls

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) has suspended the name of Mahmudur Rahman Manna, President of Nagorik Oikya, from the list of loan defaulters. According to lawyers, the court decision removes any legal barrier to his participation in the upcoming elections.

The order was issued on Monday (29 December) by Chamber Judge Justice Md Rezaul Haque, staying the High Court’s earlier directive. During the hearing, Barrister Abdul Kaiyum Liton represented Islami Bank, while Senior Advocate Ahsanul Karim, Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, and Advocate Syed Mamun Mahbub appeared for Manna. The state was represented by Deputy Attorney General Md Jahirul Islam Suman and Assistant Attorney General Md Uzzal Hossain.

Earlier, Mahmudur Rahman Manna had filed an appeal against the High Court order that rejected his petition seeking the removal of his name from the defaulters’ list. The Appellate Division’s Chamber Judge Court had adjourned the hearing of the appeal until Monday. Assistant Attorney General Md Uzzal Hossain confirmed to Jago News that the hearing was scheduled for 29 December.

During the hearing, the court asked the bank to update it on the progress regarding the recovery of the customer’s dues.

Earlier, Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited’s Bogura Borgaola branch issued a call-back notice to recover Tk 38.04 crore from Manna and his two partners. The notice, sent to their addresses, instructed them to repay the outstanding amount by 18 December and warned that legal action would be taken if the payment was not made within the stipulated time.