NN Online:
A Dhaka court has annulled the results of the 2020 Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) election – declaring BNP leader Ishraque Hossain, son of former mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka – as the rightful mayor. The ruling challenges the legitimacy of the previous polls and reshapes the city’s political landscape.
Dhaka’s First Joint District Judge and Election Tribunal Judge Md Nurul Islam delivered the verdict on Thursday, declaring BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Hossain was present in court when the ruling was announced.
The case dates back to March 3, 2020, when Ishraque filed a petition challenging the DSCC election results, citing allegations of irregularities, corruption, and ineligibility. The lawsuit named eight defendants, including then-Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda, Returning Officer Md Abdul Baten, and DSCC Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.
“We contested the election results on grounds of irregularities, corruption, and ineligibility. Today, the court ruled in our favour, declaring Ishraque Hossain as mayor,” said his lawyer, Taherul Islam Touhid.
The Dhaka North and South city corporation elections took place on February 1, 2020, with Awami League candidates Atiqul Islam and Fazle Noor Taposh securing mayoral positions. The Election Commission published the election gazette on February 2, and both were sworn in shortly after.
However, both mayors were removed from office following the fall of the Awami League government. Former DNCC mayor Atiqul Islam was arrested on October 16 last year by Mohammadpur police from the capital’s Mohakhali DOHS area. He was later shown arrested in multiple cases and remains in jail.
Meanwhile, the whereabouts of former DSCC mayor Taposh remain unknown. Various sources suggest he left the country before the government’s collapse.
