Supreme Court Bar polls: 40 nominations axed amid political row

Rejected candidates allege unlawful cancellations without notice

Around 40 nominations have been cancelled before election to the Supreme Court Bar Association, triggering a dispute among the election subcommittee, the current bar leadership and the affected candidates.

The current Bar leadership defended the move, alleging that the disqualified candidates were affiliated with the Awami League and its associate organisations.

The mass cancellations have triggered a wave of counter-accusations involving the election sub-committee, the Bar’s current ad-hoc committee, and the affected candidates.

Those disqualified claimed their candidacies were scrapped illegally "on orders from above" without any prior notice or opportunity to show cause.

Conversely, the election sub-committee maintained that scrutinising nominations is not within its purview, describing it instead as a "democratic responsibility" of the secretary.

The ad-hoc committee and BNP-backed lawyers argued that the action was taken in accordance with a government gazette and a decision from an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), following applications from "July Warriors" -- referring to those involved in the 2024 student-led mass uprising -- and general lawyers.

The tension intensified on Wednesday when disqualified lawyers were scheduled to hold a press briefing at 1:15pm outside the Supreme Court Annex Building.

However, BNP-leaning lawyers took positions at the venue ahead of the scheduled time, preventing the briefing from taking place.

While the disqualified candidates did not appear for the briefing, BNP-backed lawyers held a protest march near the site.