SC stays HC order on BNP candidate’s jail term


FE Team | Published: December 01, 2018 20:30:29 | Updated: December 02, 2018 10:02:09


SC stays HC order on BNP candidate’s jail term

The Appellate Division Chamber Judge of the Supreme Court has stayed a High Court order halting conviction of Jashore-2 BNP candidate Sabira Sultana.

Justice Hasan Foez Siddique of Appellate Division Chamber Judge Court issued the one-day stay on the decision of HC on Saturday morning.

The court sent the matter to Appellate Division full bench for further hearing, reports BSS.

A full Appellate Division bench led by the chief justice is expected to hear the appeal on Sunday.

“As we had previously issued a decision on the matter, the order will be stayed until tomorrow and sent to the full court,” the judge wrote in his decision.

“The Appellate Division Chamber Judge passed the order, allowing appeals of the state and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC),” anti-graft body’s counsel Khurshid Alam Khan said.

“As a result of today’s order, Sabira will no longer be able to take part in the election, unless the Appellate Division pass the order other way tomorrow,” Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said.

The chief state counsel said it is a constitutional provision it would be applicable for all people convicted and sentenced to more than two years.

A Dhaka court on July 12, 2018, sentenced Sabira Sultana, currently the chairman of Jashore’s Jhikargacha upazila, to total six years imprisonment in a case lodged over amassing illegal wealth and concealing information on wealth.

The High Court after holding hearing on her plea on November 29, had stayed Sabira’s sentence, paving way for contesting in the upcoming general election.

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