HC verdict on August 15 holiday stayed

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has postponed a High Court verdict declaring August 15 a public holiday for National Mourning Day.

The Appellate Division led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed passed the order yesterday (Sunday) after hearing an appeal against the High Court’s verdict.

Additional Attorney General Barrister Anik R. Haque confirmed the development to the media on Monday (December 2).

Awami League started observing August 15 — the day Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family were assassinated —as National Mourning Day after the party came to power in 1996. It was designated as a public holiday.

In 2002, the BNP-led coalition government repealed the decision to observe National Mourning Day.

Six years later, on July 27, 2008, the High Court reinstated August 15 as National Mourning Day.

Subsequently, in 2009, the High Court officially declared August 15 as National Mourning Day, and it has been observed as such since then.