HC stays mayor Arif's suspension order

Staff Correspondent: The High Court (HC) stayed the government order suspending Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury from his office for being accused in a criminal case.

The court also directed the government not to bar Ariful from performing his duty as SCC Mayor.

A High Court division bench comprising Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice Md Ataur Rahman Khan passed the order on Monday after hearing on writ petition filed by Ariful Haque Chowdhury.

Besides, the court issued a rule asking the authorities as to why SCC Mayor Arif's suspension order will not be declared illegal.

Local government secretary, home secretary and concerned others have been made respondents to the rule. They will have to reply to the rule within four weeks.

Barrister Moinul Hossain and Barrister Abdul Halim Kafi stood for the petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Amit Talukdar represented the State in the court.

Ariful Haque Chowdhury yesterday filed a writ petition questioning the legality of his suspension order. 

Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Cooperatives on January 7, 2015, suspended him as his name came in the charge sheet submitted in former finance minister Shah ASM Kibria murder trial.

risingbd/DHAKA/Mar 13, 2017/Mehedi/Amirul