Sabira, other candidates with jail terms blocked from general election

The Supreme Court Appellate Division has blocked the High Court decision staying the jail term awarded to Jashore-2 BNP candidate Sabira Sultana.

As a result, Sabira will not be able to compete in the 11th national parliamentary elections. The decision also blocks the path for other candidates with jail sentences of two or more years wishing to compete in the polls.

Jashore Jhikorgacha Upazila Chairman Sabira Sultana had petitioned the High Court over a six-year jail sentence awarded to her over graft. The High Court had stayed the sentence, but the decision was challenged by the state and the Anti-Corruption Commission, or ACC. The chamber judge then stayed the High Court’s decision and sent the matter to the Appellate Division on Saturday.

A full bench led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain heard the petition on Sunday and then said that the stay issued by the chamber judge would continue.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam represented the state, accompanied by Additional Attorney General Murad Reza. Layers Khurshid Alam Khan and ABM Bayezid represented the ACC.

Lawyers AJ Mohammad Ali represented Sabira Sultana, accompanied by Aminul Islam.

“The attorney general suddenly called a chamber judge hearing yesterday and got the stay,” said Aminul Islam. “Today the Appellate Division upheld the stay.”

“The government has used this legal stratagem to disqualify the BNP candidate from the 11th parliamentary election. We strongly condemn this.”

He said that senior lawyers would be consulted to investigate whether this decision could be challenged further.