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Published : 24 Dec 2025, 07:19 PM
The High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna challenging his status as a loan defaulter, creating a legal hurdle to his participation in the parliamentary polls.
Deputy Attorney General Muhammad Shafiqur Rahman said the court order means Manna will not be eligible to take part in the next national election.
The order was passed on Wednesday after a High Court bench comprising Justice Md Bazlur Rahman and Justice Md Manjur Alam held a preliminary hearing on the writ petition.
Senior lawyers Ahsanul Karim and Jyotirmoy Barua argued for Manna, while DAG Shafiqur represented the state.
Speaking to bdnews24.com, Shafiqur said Manna had sought a directive to remove his name from Bangladesh Bank’s Credit Information Bureau (CIB) list of loan defaulters. The court dismissed the petition after hearing.
Asked about Manna’s eligibility to contest in the polls, the deputy attorney general said the law bars a candidate from contesting if a CIB report exists.
He added that Manna had taken loans from Islami Bank and repaid part of the amount, but his name remained on the CIB report.
Court records show that on Dec 10, the bank’s Baragola branch in Bogura issued a notice seeking recovery of Tk 380.47 million in defaulted loans from Afaku Cold Storage Limited.
The notice asked Manna and his two partners to clear the dues by Dec 18.
Afaku Cold Storage Limited is chaired by Manna, with ABM Najmul Qadir Shajahan Chowdhury as managing director.
Manna holds a 50 percent stake, Shajahan Chowdhury owns 25 percent, and the remaining 25 percent is held by Director Ismat Ara Laizu.
The bank said an investment facility of Tk 220 million was approved for the company in 2010. Failure to pay profits, charges, and penalties caused the outstanding amount to rise to Tk 380.47 million.
