The Supreme Court has reinstated 140 doctors of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) who were appointed by the BNP-Jamaat alliance government.
A five-member Appellate Bench led by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha passed the order on Sunday, while hearing an appeal against the High Court order which barred the appointees.
While talking to journalists, petitioners' counsel Tanim Hossain Shaon said: "The apex court passed the order in favour of the appeals. However, the doctors will not receive back pay for the time they had to stay away from work."
On May 26, 2005, the BSMMU decided to create 200 posts of medical officers. Following the decision, a circular of recruitment was issued on October 18 the same year.
Professor M Iqbal Arslan, the then secretary general of Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad, filed a writ petition with the High Court challenging the legality of the circular.
On January 2007, the High Court stayed the recruitment process and issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain as to why the recruitment advertisement should not be declared illegal.
Following a petition filed by the BSMMU, the High Court vacated the stay order with some directions.
On March 1, 2007, BSMMU issued the appointments and in 2008 the appointments were regularized. But in 2010, the High Court declared illegal the appointment circular.
The 140 doctors in 2011 filed a leave to appeal petition with the apex court against the High Court order.
On February 22, 2017, the Appellate Division dismissed the plea, making the petitioners file a review plea.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
