Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday directed actors Zayed Khan and Nipun Akhter to strictly follow the status quo order issued by the Chamber Court over holding the post of General Secretary of Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association (BFAA).
The directions came during the hearing of a petition filed by Zayed against actress Nipun, alleging contempt of court.
An Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique passed the order.
At the same time, the contempt of court petition has been adjourned (stand over) for four weeks. The apex court said that during this period if any party wants, they can file leave to appeal against the judgment of the High Court.
SC Advocate Ahsanul Karim stood on behalf of Zayed while SC lawyer Rokanuddin Mahmud appeared for Nipun in the hearing.
After the SC order, Zayed Khan's lawyer Ahsanul Karim told reporters that the Appellate Division has asked both the parties to strictly follow the order given by the chamber judge.
“Zayed sat in the office before the status quo order. He was running his duty. It has been asked to strictly follow the status quo order. So Zayed will continue this responsibility,” he added.
However, Nipun's lawyer Rokanuddin Mahmud said “Nipun was in the chair (in charge) and will stay."
On March 6, the SC chamber judge stayed for four weeks the High Court order that declared the decision of an appeal board, cancelling the candidacy of actor Zayed Khan and announcement of Nipun as the general secretary of BFAA as illegal.