The High Court has concluded the second day of hearing on a writ petition seeking a directive not to administer the oath of office to BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), deferring the delivery of its ruling to Thursday.
The High Court bench comprising Justice Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Debashis Roy Chowdhury fixed the date for the order on Wednesday.
Advocate Mohammad Hossain represented the petitioner during the hearing, while Deputy Attorney General Mahfuzur Rahman Milon appeared for the state.
Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Barrister Kaiser Kamal argued on behalf of Ishraque Hossain, assisted by Barrister AKM Ehsanur Rahman and Advocate Maksud Ullah.
The writ petition was filed in the High Court on May 14, seeking a stay on a verdict that had declared Ishraque mayor of DSCC, as well as a directive not to administer the oath of office to him.
The petition also sought punitive action against the judge concerned of the Election Tribunal, alleging fraud and forgery in the pronouncement of the judgment.
The writ was filed by Supreme Court lawyer Kazi Akbar Ali on behalf of one Md Mamunur Rashid at the relevant branch of the High Court.
Notably, on April 27, the Election Tribunal declared Ishraque the mayor of DSCC, prompting two residents of Dhaka to serve legal notices urging the authorities to appeal or seek a review of the verdict and decree.
The notices also urged the Election Commission not to publish a gazette in Ishraque’s name or proceed with administering his oath.
However, on the same night, the Election Commission issued the gazette declaring Ishraque as mayor.
The Dhaka South City Corporation election was held on February 1, 2020, in which Awami League candidate Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh was declared the winner.
However, on March 27, 2025, the Election Tribunal, presided over by Md Nurul Islam, annulled the result that had declared Taposh as the winner and instead declared Ishraque the duly elected mayor.
Upon receiving the tribunal’s verdict, the Election Commission sought the opinion of the Ministry of Law on April 22 regarding the publication of the gazette.
Subsequently, on April 27, the Commission issued the gazette formally declaring Ishraque as the new mayor of DSCC.