The Appellate Division has stayed the High Court’s decision regarding rules for higher secondary students taking admission tests to medical and dental colleges, allowing second-time test-takers to be penalised 5 marks.
A five-member appellate bench led by Justice Md Abdul Wahhab Miah issued the decision based on petitions from the state and the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC), reports bdnews24.
The admission tests for Bangladesh’s medical colleges begin on Friday. Admission tests for dental programmes are scheduled for Nov 10.
The Health Department issued a notice calling for admissions to the MBBS programme for the 2017-18 academic year on Aug 21. The notice mentioned that 5 marks would be deducted from any examinee taking the MBBS and BDS admission exams for the second time.
Supreme Court Advocate Yunus Ali Akhand petitioned for a removal of the BMDC rule, claiming it was illegal.
On Sept 12 a High Court bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Jahangir Hossain stayed the BMDC decision and issued a rule asking why the deduction of points in this manner should not be deemed illegal.
The state and the BMDC petitioned the Supreme Court chamber judge over the petition. The High Court’s order was stayed and the case was transferred to the Appellate Division.
