Kader Siddique appeals seeking stay of HC verdict

Staff Correspondent: Krishak Sramik Janata League President Bangabir Kader Siddique has file an appeal petition to the Supreme Court (SC) seeking stay of the High Court`s (HC) verdict declaring illegal of his nomination paper to contest in Tangail-4 by-polls.

Barrister Ragib Rouf Chowdhury on behalf of Kader Siddique filed the petition to the Appellate Division on Sunday.

Earlier on February 4, HC declared the nomination paper of Siddique as illegal.

The HC bench comprising of Justice M Ashfaqul Islam and Justice Jafor Ahmed handed down the verdict upholding the Election Commission`s decision that had cancelled Siddique`s candidacy and disposed the rule in this regard on the day.

The Tangail-4 by-polls was scheduled to be held on November 10, 2015. But the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court stayed the polls till January 31 this year and ordered to dispose the rule in this regard.

Earlier on October 21, 2015, HC asked the Election Commission to accept the Kader Siddique`s nomination paper and issued rule why the cancellation order by EC of Siddique`s nomination will not be illegal.

On October 20, 2015, Siddique`s counsel AJ Mohammad Ali filed a writ petition before the HC challenging the legality of his nomination cancelled.

Tangail-4 constituency fell vacant after Siddique’s elder brother Abdul Latif Siddique resigned last month.

Latif Siddique had earlier lost his Cabinet berth and was subsequently expelled from the Awami League over his anti-Hajj rant.

Altogether 10 persons, including four from KSJL, filed nominations for contesting the polls.

But the returning officer scrapped four nominations, including that of Kader Siddique and his wife for defaulting a loan repayment, on Oct 13.

The Siddique couple moved the EC against the decision but their pleas were rejected after a hearing.

risingbd/Dhaka/Feb 07, 2016/Mahidi/A K Azad