No one holds office of Shilpi Samity GS until Feb 13: SC

Neither actor Zayed Khan nor his rival actress Nipun Akter can hold the office of the general secretary of Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association until a full-bench hearing on the controversy is held on February 13, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court said on Wednesday.

Responding to an appeal by Nipun Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice Obaidul Hassan passed the order that also stayed an earlier High Court ruling in favour of Zayed’s claim to have fairly won the January 28 election.

Barrister Rokon Uddin Mahmud and Barrister Mostafizur Rahman stood for actress Nipun while Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun, Advocate Ahsanul Karim and Advocate Nahid Sultana Juthi represented actor Zayed.

On Monday, a division bench of High Court justices Mamnoon Rahman and Khandaker Diliruzzaman stayed the decision of the Election Appellate Board that revoked the candidacy of Zayed for alleged irregularities in the vote and declared Nipun an uncontested winner.

The HC bench also stayed the effectiveness of the letter, sent by the Department of Social Welfare asking Election Appeal Board to take decision over Nipun’s allegation.

The HC also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain by February 15 why the decision to cancel the actor’s candidacy should not be declared illegal.