SC clears way for Manna to contest election as court stays defaulter status

Nagorik Oikko President Mahmudur Rahman Manna's name has been removed from the Credit Information Bureau's (CIB) list of loan defaulters following an order from the Appellate Division's chamber court, clearing the way for him to contest elections.

Manna had earlier filed a petition with the High Court seeking the removal of his name from the CIB defaulters' list. However, the High Court rejected the petition last Wednesday (24 December), creating a legal obstacle to his eligibility to vote and contest elections.

Challenging that decision, Manna moved the chamber court of the Appellate Division. His lawyers also sought a stay on the High Court order and requested permission for rescheduling the loan, along with the removal of his name from the CIB list.

After hearing the petition, Chamber Judge Justice Md Rezaul Haque today (29 December) stayed the High Court order for eight weeks. The court also stayed the inclusion of Manna's name in the CIB defaulters' list.

As a result, there is no longer any legal barrier to Manna's participation in the election, his lawyer Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua told reporters.

Senior lawyers Ahsanul Karim and Mamun Mahbub appeared on behalf of Manna during the hearing. Ahsanul Karim said the bank loan had been rescheduled, adding, "There is no obstacle to contesting the election."

Islamic Bank Bangladesh's lawyer, M Abdul Qayyum, said the petitioner had submitted an application seeking a stay on the CIB listing, noting that individuals whose names appear on the CIB defaulters' list are barred from contesting elections. "The honourable judge in chambers has stayed the CIB listing today. As a result, there should be no obstacle to his participation in the election at this stage," he said.

Responding to a question, Qayyum explained that the issue arose from loans taken by a company linked to Manna's interests. The loans had been classified as defaulted. "Subsequently, the loans have been rescheduled and are now moving towards regularised status following his application. As a result, Islamic Bank is not currently treating him as a loan defaulter," he added.

Earlier, on 10 December, Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited's Bogura Borogola branch issued a call-back notice seeking recovery of Tk38.04 crore from Afaku Cold Storage Limited, an entity led by Manna. The notice asked the borrowers to clear the dues by 18 December, warning of legal action in case of failure.

The notice, signed by branch head Touhid Reza, was sent to Afaku Cold Storage Chairman Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Managing Director ABM Nazmul Qadir Shajahan Chowdhury.

According to information placed before the court, Afaku Cold Storage is owned by Manna (50%), managing director ABM Nazmul Qadir Shajahan Chowdhury (25%), and director Ismat Ara Laizu (25%). In a notice sent on 3 December, the company's facility at Kichok Bazar in Shibganj, Bogura, was instructed to repay Tk38.04 crore in defaulted investment.