The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh has concluded the hearing on Jamaat-e-Islami’s appeal to regain its registration and party symbol. The verdict is scheduled to be delivered on June 1. The decision came from a four-member bench headed by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed during a session on Wednesday, May 14.

The full hearing began on Tuesday, May 13, before a larger bench of seven judges, also led by the Chief Justice. It was then adjourned until the following day. Representing Jamaat were Barrister Ehsan Abdullah Siddiq, along with Barrister Imran Abdullah Siddiq, Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir, and Barrister Najib Momen.

The legal battle to reinstate Jamaat’s political registration began with a revival of its previously dismissed appeal by the Appellate Division on October 22 last year, allowing the party to challenge its deregistration. Originally, the party’s registration was declared illegal by the High Court on August 1, 2013, following a public interest litigation. Subsequently, the Election Commission formally revoked Jamaat’s registration on December 7, 2018.

In November 2023, the appeal was dismissed due to the absence of Jamaat’s lead counsel. However, the Appellate Division later revived the case, providing a fresh opportunity for legal proceedings.

Separately, amid anti-discrimination protests in August 2024, Sheikh Hasina’s government banned Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, under the Anti-Terrorism Act. This order was reversed later on August 28 through a new notification that lifted the ban.