The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court is set to deliver its verdict on Sunday, regarding Jamaat-e-Islami’s appeal to regain its registration as a political party and reclaim its electoral symbol, the scales.
A four-member bench led by Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed will announce the judgment. The date was fixed following four days of hearings, which concluded on May 14.
Representing Jamaat in court was Barrister Ehsan Abdullah Siddiq, supported by Barrister Imran Abdullah Siddiq, Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir, and Barrister Najib Momen.
Jamaat-e-Islami lost its registration in 2013 when the High Court declared it illegal following a writ petition. The Election Commission later issued a gazette notification in December 2018 officially cancelling the party’s registration.
Jamaat challenged the High Court ruling, but the appeal was dismissed in November 2023 due to the absence of the party’s lead counsel. At the time, the Appellate Division, led by then-Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, dismissed the petition for default, thereby upholding the High Court's ruling.
Following the fall of the Awami League-led government, Jamaat moved to revive the dismissed appeal. The Appellate Division accepted the petition, allowing the case to proceed.
Advocate Shishir Monir appeared on behalf of the party during the hearing.
On October 22, 2024, the court ordered the revival of the appeal, giving Jamaat a fresh opportunity to pursue the restoration of its registration and electoral symbol.
Legal representatives of the party described the court’s decision as a significant development in Jamaat’s legal battle to return to the political field.
The upcoming verdict on Sunday is expected to have major implications for the party’s future in Bangladesh’s political landscape.