Appeal hearing on Jamaat registration adjourned till Wednesday

NN Online:

The Appellate Division has adjourned the hearing on the Jamaat-e-Islami’s appeal to regain its cancelled registration as a political party until May 14.

Today ( May 13), the appeal was presented before a bench led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, marking the third day of proceedings.

Senior lawyer Ehsan A Siddique argued on behalf of the appellants, accompanied by Mohammad Shishir Monir, while Touhidul Islam represented the Election Commission (EC).

The case was initially dismissed on November 19, 2023, due to the absence of the petitioner’s lawyer. However, an application was later filed to restore the appeal, which was accepted on October 22 of the same year.

Jamaat-e-Islami was granted temporary registration on November 4, 2008, but its legality was challenged the following year through a writ petition filed by 25 individuals, including members of Bangladesh Tariqat Federation, Zaker Party, and Sammilit Islami Jote.

Following the petition, the High Court issued a rule on January 27, 2009, leading Jamaat to amend its constitution several times, including in 2009, 2010, and 2012, and submit changes to the Election Commission.

On June 12, 2013, a larger bench of the High Court ruled that Jamaat’s registration was invalid, citing legal deficiencies. The party was allowed to appeal, but its request for a stay order was dismissed by the Appellate Division.

The appeal was once again rejected on November 19, 2023, due to the absence of Jamaat’s legal representatives.

Following political shifts in 2024, including government changes and student protests, Jamaat sought to reverse its ban and requested a fresh hearing on its registration status in the Appellate Division.