High Court Dismisses Writ Seeking Stay on Administrator Appointments in Six City Corporations
The High Court has dismissed a writ petition that sought a stay on the appointment of administrators in six city corporations of the country, including the two in Dhaka. As a result, the administrator appointments made through a notification issued by the Local Government Division on 22 February remain in force.
A High Court bench comprising Justice Shikdar Mahmudur Razi and Justice Fatema Anwar passed the order on Thursday (29 October). Deputy Attorney General Nur Mohammad Azmi appeared for the state in court.
Supreme Court lawyer Golam Kibria and five others filed the writ on 4 March. The Local Government Division secretary, the chief election commissioner and the chief executive officers of the six city corporations were made respondents in the petition.
Under the Local Government Division's notification, Md Abdus Salam was appointed administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), while Md Shafiqul Islam Khan was given charge of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).
Among the other four city corporations, Nazrul Islam Manju was appointed administrator in Khulna, Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury in Sylhet, Md Sakhawat Hossain Khan in Narayanganj and Md Shawkat Hossain Sarkar in Gazipur.
The notification said the appointments were made under sub-section (1) of section 25Ka of the Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024.
According to the notification, the administrators will serve on a full-time basis until the respective city corporations are formed or until further orders are issued.
The administrators will exercise the powers and carry out the duties of the mayor of the city corporation, and will receive facilities and allowances in line with the rules.
The notification, issued in the public interest, was stated to take immediate effect. With Thursday's High Court order, the legal obstacle to the six administrators carrying out their duties has been removed.
