The order given by the High Court regarding the post of General Secretary of Bangladesh Film Artists Association has been suspended.
At the same time, the order issued by the Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division to maintain the status quo of the two parties (Nipun Akter and Zayed Khan) in the post of General Secretary of the Industries Association will continue.
The six-member Virtual Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Hasan Fayez Siddiqui on Monday disposed of leave to appeal filed by actress Nipun Akter against the High Court order.
The court said both the parties (Zayed and Nipun) have submitted that the matter (rule hearing) in the High Court is scheduled for hearing on Tuesday. In this case, the application (disposed of) was disposed of. The chamber judge’s order will continue.
On February 9, the Appellate Division Chamber Judge ordered the hearing of Nipun’s application seeking stay of the High Court order.
On the same day, the Chamber Court stayed the High Court order and sent Nipun’s application to the regular bench of the Appellate Division for hearing on February 13. At the same time, he instructed the two parties (Nipun and Zayed) to maintain the status quo while performing the duties of the general secretary of the industrial association.
Nipun’s lawyer said he would leave to appeal on the due date. In this context, the matter came up for hearing today.
Senior lawyer Rokon Uddin Mahmud appeared for Nipun in the court, accompanied by lawyers Mostafizur Rahman Khan and Harun-ur-Rashid.
On the other hand, senior lawyer Ahsanul Karim, senior lawyer Yusuf Hossain, lawyer Nahid Sultana and Mojibul Haque Bhuiyan were present in the virtual court on behalf of Zayed Khan.
The Shilpi Samiti was elected on January 26. According to the results announced the next day, Zayed Khan was declared the General Secretary.
Nipun later lodged a written complaint with the Electoral Appeal Board. The Appellate Board then sent a letter to the Department of Social Services. In this regard, the Department of Social Services said in a letter on February 2 that the Appellate Board will take a decision in this regard.
On February 5, the Appellate Board rejected Zayed Khan’s candidature and declared Nipun General Secretary of the Film Artists Association.
In this situation, Zayed Khan filed a writ petition in the High Court against the letter of the Department of Social Services dated February 2 and the decision of the Board of Appeal dated February 5. On February 8, the High Court ordered a preliminary hearing of the writ petition.
The High Court’s order suspended the validity of the letter dated February 2 for six months. Besides, on the basis of the letter and decision dated February 2 and 5, Zayed Khan was instructed not to create any obstacle in the discharge of his duties as General Secretary. Besides, the High Court fixed February 15 for hearing of the rule. Accordingly, a hearing on the rule is scheduled to be held in the High Court on Tuesday.
Later, Nipun’s lawyer Mostafizur Rahman Khan told Prothom Alo: The decision of the Appellate Board is upheld as the order of the High Court has been stayed. The Appellate Board has declared Nipun as General Secretary. As a result, there is no obstacle for him to continue his work.
However, Zayed Khan’s lawyer Ahsanul Karim told Prothom Alo: The chamber court has directed the two parties to maintain the status quo in the post of general secretary. So no one will be able to sit as the general secretary until the rule is decided.