Writ over affidavit disclosure dismissed, Hannan Masud remains MP

The High Court has dismissed a writ petition that sought directions to declare vacant or cancel the seat of Abdul Hannan Masud, Member of Parliament for Noakhali-6 (Hatiya), over allegations of concealing and forging asset information in the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission.

A High Court bench of Justice Sikder Mahmud Razi and Justice Fatema Anwar passed the order on Monday (9 November) after hearing the case. As a result, Hannan Masud remains a Member of Parliament.

Confirming the order, the MP's lawyer Zahirul Islam Musa told journalists that the court dismissed the writ petition as "not pressed as being rejected".

During the hearing, the court observed that the complaints about discrepancies in the asset statement in the election affidavit are essentially a "question of fact". Therefore, such matters cannot be settled directly through a writ petition before the High Court under the Constitution.

The lawyer further noted that the Election Commission and other specific legal authorities exist to verify and settle complaints about affidavit information. But the petitioner came directly to the High Court without approaching those designated authorities.

Considering the overall legal and procedural aspects, the court decided to dismiss the petition directly, the lawyer said.

Earlier, Nazmul Hossain, a resident of Hatiya upazila and a voter of the constituency, had filed the writ petition in the High Court on 19 August.

The petition sought a rule asking why the Noakhali-6 seat should not be declared vacant and why Abdul Hannan Masud's parliamentary membership should not be cancelled.

It also sought directions for necessary investigation and legal action against him, as well as for the quick disposal of applications previously submitted to the Election Commission and the Parliament Secretariat.