SC allows Jamaat’s appeal against HC verdict cancelling party registration
PARBATTA NEWS DESK
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Sunday allowed an appeal by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, overturning a 2013 High Court verdict that had declared the party’s registration illegal.
A four-member bench led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed delivered the judgment, stating: “Civil Appeal No. 139 of 2013 is allowed and Civil Petition No. 3112 of 2013 is disposed of in light of the judgment delivered in the Civil Appeal.”
The court directed the Election Commission (EC) to resolve pending issues related to Jamaat-e-Islami, including its registration status.
Barrister Ehsan A Siddiq and Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir represented Jamaat, while Advocate Touhidul Islam appeared for the EC.
Speaking to reporters, Advocate Manir said: “A legal battle that lasted more than a decade has come to a successful conclusion. Today’s verdict restores Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s registration and refers the matter of its electoral symbol, along with other issues, to the Election Commission.”
He added that the party hoped to receive the short order by Monday and would then approach the EC to formally restore its registration and symbol “as per law.”
The party’s counsel alleged that its registration was revoked through a politically motivated public interest litigation (PIL).
“Today’s ruling ensures multiparty democracy and participatory politics,” said Manir. “We hope this will pave the way for an inclusive parliament formed through appropriate elections, with all citizens freely exercising their voting rights.”
The court had earlier restored Jamaat’s appeal on 22 October 2024, allowing the party to contest the 2013 High Court ruling. That ruling, delivered by a three-member bench, had found the EC’s registration of Jamaat to be “beyond lawful authority.”
The EC formally cancelled Jamaat’s registration on 7 December 2018. The party later appealed, but the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal for default after its main counsel was absent during the hearing.
The Appellate Division began hearing the restored plea on 3 December 2024 and had fixed 1 June for the final verdict.
