HC orders status quo on BCB activities, allows Aminul to continue as president

The High Court on Tuesday issued a status quo order on the activities of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) board of directors, enabling newly elected BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul to continue his duties. 

Simultaneously, the court issued a rule questioning the legality of the National Sports Council’s (NSC) decisions to cancel Faruk Ahmed’s nomination as a BCB director and appoint Aminul Islam in his place.

A High Court bench, comprising Justices Razik Al Jalil and Sathika Hossain, issued the order and rule after hearing a writ petition filed by former BCB President Faruk Ahmed challenging the validity of Aminul Islam’s nomination. 

The respondents, including the Youth and Sports Secretary and the BCB, were directed to respond to the rule.

On May 29, the NSC cancelled Faruk Ahmed’s nomination as a BCB director, and on May 30, nominated former national cricket team captain Aminul Islam as a director. 

Following the NSC’s decision, the BCB board elected Aminul as president. 

Faruk filed the writ petition last Sunday, challenging the NSC’s decisions. 

Initially listed for a hearing on Monday, the writ was removed from the agenda, with the court allowing the petitioner to present it before another bench. 

It was subsequently listed as item 25 on Tuesday’s agenda.

Senior lawyer Md Ruhul Quddus, accompanied by lawyer AKM Azad Hossain, represented Faruk Ahmed. Additional Attorney General Anik R Haque represented the NSC, Mahin M Rahman represented the BCB, and Nasir Uddin Ahmed Asim represented Aminul Islam.

BCB lawyer Mahin M Rahman said that the status quo order allows the current nine-member board, led by Aminul Islam, to continue managing BCB activities. 

Md Ruhul Quddus added that the court’s order ensures that the current board, including the president, will maintain their roles as they are.