Nipun moves Supreme Court against HC stay on Zayed’s disqualification

Actress Nipun Akter Tuesday moved the Supreme Court against the High Court’s stay on the cancellation of actor Zayed Khan’s candidacy in the Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association election over vote-buying allegations.

Nipun’s lawyer Mostafizur Rahman said her client had filed the appeal at the appellate division of the Supreme Court. “The court is likely to hear the petition in the afternoon,” the barrister said.

On Monday, a division bench of High Court justices Mamnoon Rahman and Khandaker Diliruzzaman stayed the decision of the Election Appellate Board revoking the candidacy of Zayed.

The order was passed following a writ petition filed by Zayed challenging the validity of the decision of the Board.

Besides, the High Court had asked Zayed to continue with his activities as the general secretary, according to advocate Ahsanul Karim.

The High Court had also issued a rule, asking the authorities concerned to explain by February 15 why the decision to cancel the actor’s candidacy should not be declared illegal.

On Saturday, the Election Appellate Board decided to remove Zayed from the post of general secretary of the association over allegations that he had resorted to impropriety in the recent election.

Sohanur Rahman Sohan, chairman of the Board, announced the decision on Saturday evening. A day later, the newly elected committee of the Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association led by Ilias Kanchan and Nipun Akter took the oath of office.

The association election was held on January 28.

Zayed was declared the winner for the general secretary post, after he defeated Nipun in a close contest. It was his third consecutive win.

Source: United News of Bangladesh