Appellate Division forms probe committee over alleged irregularities in verdicts of 18 primary teacher recruitment cases

The Appellate Division has formed an investigation committee to examine whether there was fraud, irregularity or inconsistency in the verdicts and judicial proceedings of 18 cases concerning primary school teacher recruitment.

The committee, headed by the Registrar General of the Supreme Court, has been asked to submit its report by November 23. The court has set November 26 for the next order on the matter.

A five-judge bench of the Appellate Division led by the Chief Justice passed the order on Monday (November 2). Supreme Court public relations officer Md Shafiqul Islam later confirmed the order.

Supreme Court Registrar General Muhammad Habibur Rahman Siddique said they would begin the investigation after receiving the written order.

Of the 18 cases, lawyer Md Kamal Hossain appeared in 12. Mohammad Siddik Ullah Mia was the lawyer in three cases. The remaining three cases were handled by Md Borhan Khan, Syed Md Jahangir Hossain and Sajjad-ul-Islam.

Additional Attorney General Mohammad Anik Rushd Haque appeared for the state in court. Lawyers Zainul Abedin, A M Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Syed Mamun Mahbub appeared for Siddik Ullah Mia.

After the order, Zainul Abedin told reporters that all 18 cases would be investigated and that the Registrar General had been given charge of the probe. If the report finds any irregularity or inconsistency in the cases, the court will take its next decision accordingly, he said.

He added that judges are expected to conduct judicial work independently. Noting that the country now has a democratic government, he said justice must be ensured.

Earlier, on October 28, as the hearing began on the appeal against a High Court verdict delivered against the government, the state raised allegations of various irregularities and inconsistencies in the verdicts of these cases. The Chief Justice-led Appellate Division then reviewed the case files.