In Chattogram-4, the Appellate Division has granted leave to appeal against the High Court’s order allowing BNP’s nominated candidate Aslam Chowdhury to contest the election.

The five-member Appellate Division bench, led by Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, issued the order on Tuesday.

The leave to appeal was filed by Jamaat’s candidate Md. Anowar Siddiqui and Jamuna Bank, both challenging the High Court’s decision. With leave granted, the appeal will now proceed to a full hearing.

After the ruling, Anowar Siddiqui’s senior lawyer, Mohammad Hossain, told Prothom Alo: “The Appellate Division has approved the leave. The court has allowed Aslam Chowdhury to contest the election, but the result will remain suspended until the appeal is resolved and will not be announced in the meantime.”

Earlier, the relevant returning officer had declared Aslam Chowdhury’s nomination valid on January 3. However, appeals were filed with the Election Commission (EC) over allegations of defaulted loans, submitted by Anowar Siddiqui and the concerned bank. On January 18, the EC dismissed both appeals, confirming Chowdhury’s eligibility.

Siddiqui and the bank subsequently filed separate writ petitions challenging the EC’s decision. The High Court dismissed these petitions on January 27, maintaining Chowdhury’s candidacy.

Following the High Court ruling, Siddiqui and the bank approached the Appellate Division. Their petitions were heard in the Chamber Court on January 29 and referred to the regular bench for further consideration.

After receiving certified copies of the High Court order, Siddiqui filed leave to appeal. On Monday, the Appellate Division heard arguments regarding both his and the bank’s petitions and issued its ruling on Tuesday.

Senior lawyer Mohammad Hossain, assisted by Azim Uddin Patowary, represented Siddiqui. Aslam Chowdhury was represented by senior lawyers Ahsanul Karim and Ruhul Quddus, while Jamuna Bank was represented by lawyer A.S.M. Shahriar Kabir.