Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refat Ahmed has remarked that this is the first time in Bangladesh’s history that the High Court has canceled the registration of a political party. He made the observation during a hearing on the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami registration case before a four-member Appellate Division bench on Tuesday morning (May 13).
The case concerns the legal battle surrounding Jamaat-e-Islami’s attempt to regain its registration with the Election Commission. Senior lawyer Ehsan A. Siddique, accompanied by Shishir Monir, represented the petitioner, while lawyer Touhidul Islam appeared on behalf of the Election Commission.
The Appellate Division had earlier scheduled the appeal hearing for May 13, following delays since the initial hearing began on March 12. The court had previously dismissed Jamaat’s appeal on November 19, 2023, due to the absence of legal representation. However, upon request, the appeal was reinstated on October 22, reopening the legal pathway for Jamaat to contest the cancellation of its political registration.
The formal hearing resumed on December 3, with legal teams continuing arguments over whether the party’s registration should be restored. The case remains significant as it marks a legal precedent in Bangladesh’s political and judicial landscape.
