Staff Reporter :
The High Court on Monday summarily rejected a writ petition filed by former Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) Mayor Mohammad Zahangir Alam challenging the legality of the authorities’ decision to cancel his candidacy in the city corporation election to be held on May 25 this year.
The High Court Bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Muhammad Mahbub Ul Islam passed the order after held hearing from both sides.
Lawyers Fida M Kamal and MK Rahman appeared in the court hearing on behalf of Zahangir Alam, while Attorney General AM Amin Uddin represented the State.
Later MK Rahman said, “Zahangir didn’t take any loan. So, he cannot be a defaulter. He was a
guarantor in a loan. However, a finding report came to the HC that mentioned his name in the list of the loan defaulters while submitting his nomination paper. That is why the HC rejected the petition.”
Earlier on May 7, Zahangir Alam filed the writ petition with the High Court challenging the legality of the authorities’ decision to cancel his candidacy in the GCC election. Lawyer Nakib Saiful Islam placed the writ petition on behalf of Zahangir Alam.
On May 4, Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sabirul Islam rejected Zahangir’s appeal to have his candidature reinstated in the Gazipur city polls and upheld the decision of the returning officer, who earlier scrapped his nomination on grounds of loan default.
Zahangir’s supporters submitted his and his mother Zayeda Khatun’s nomination papers on April 27 to contest the mayoral post as independent candidates. After scrutiny on April 30, Returning Officer Faridul Islam cancelled Zahangir’s nomination but validated Zayeda’s.
Later, Zahangir filed an appeal with the Divisional Commissioner challenging the decision. However, his appeal was also rejected.
On different allegations the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) on November 25 in 2021 suspended Zahangir Alam from the post of the Gazipur City Corporation Mayor. Challenging the decision he filed a writ petition which awaiting a final verdict.
It was alleged that speaking at a programme in late September in 2021 Zahangir made some ‘controversial’ comments on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the number of Liberation War martyrs. Its video footage went viral on social media.
Zahangir was expelled from the party in the meeting of the central executive committee of Awami League on November 19 in 2021. Allegation of violating party discipline was brought against him. He was the General Secretary of Gazipur City unit Awami League.
