Reinstatement of 85 upazila election officers: SC releases full text of verdict
Appellate Division scrapped its previous 2022 verdict and ordered their reinstatement in service on 25 February
The Appellate Division today (18 August) published the full text of the judgment on reinstatement of 85 Upazila election officers who were dismissed in 2007.
The court also asked the authorities concerned to pay their due salaries and allowances from 2007 and consider their dismissal period as special leave.
Earlier on 25 February, the Appellate Division ordered reinstatement of the 85 Upazila after rejecting the appeal petition filed in 2022.
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Senior Advocate Salah Uddin Dolon and Barrister Ruhul Kuddus Kajol stood for the petitioner while Additional Attorney General Anik R Haque represented the state.
Advocate Mohammad Khalequzzaman Bhuiyan stood for Election Commission.
On 3 September 2005, the government appointed 327 Upazila Election Officers through Public Service Commission (PSC).
On 3 September 2007, the 85 Upazila election officers were dismissed as controversy arose over the appointment during the four-party alliance government.
On 23 March 2009, an administrative appellate tribunal rejected the appeal submitted by the dismissed officials.
Later, they filed an appeal challenging the order.
On 12 April 2010, the Appeal Tribunal ordered reinstatement of the 85 dismissed officials.
On 1 September 2022, the Appellate Division overturned the decision given nearly a decade earlier by the Administrative Appellate Tribunal to reinstate them, effectively blocking their return to service.
In 2023, they filed a review petition challenging the Appellate Division's 2022 verdict. A hearing on the petition was held on 20 February.
Later, on 25 February, the Appellate Division scrapped its previous 2022 verdict and ordered their reinstatement in service.
