Dhaka, Aug 18 (V7N) – The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has published its full verdict directing the reinstatement of 85 upazila election officers who were dismissed 18 years ago. The officers are also entitled to receive all due privileges and benefits they lost during this period.

The verdict, delivered on Tuesday by a five-member bench led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, observed that appealing against the Election Commission’s (EC) decision amounted to unconstitutional interference in an independent and sovereign authority.

The officers were originally appointed during the BNP–Jamaat coalition government but were dismissed on September 3, 2007, under the caretaker government, on allegations of being politically appointed.

The legal battle over their dismissal has spanned nearly two decades. On April 12, 2010, the Administrative Appellate Tribunal directed the EC to reinstate the officers. However, following a state appeal, the order was stayed by the Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division on June 25, 2010.

Subsequently, on December 12, 2010, a bench led by then Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque upheld the stay and granted the government leave to appeal against the tribunal’s verdict.

On September 1, 2022, the Appellate Division quashed the tribunal’s order but several appeals and review petitions were later filed. After hearing all parties, the Appellate Division has now ruled in favor of the dismissed officers, ending the prolonged legal uncertainty.

The officers, once reinstated, will not only regain their positions but also receive the full range of service benefits owed to them over the past 18 years.

Senior lawyers Salahuddin Dolan, Prabir Niyogi, and Md. Ruhul Quddus Kajal represented the writ petitioners, while Additional Attorney General Anik R. Haque and lawyer Muhammad Khalequzzaman Bhuiyan appeared for the state.

END/SMA/AJ