Dhaka: The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) today commenced hearings on an appeal filed by the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, contesting a High Court ruling that deemed the party's registration illegal. The proceedings are being overseen by a four-member bench led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed. At the conclusion of today's session, the hearing was adjourned until December 10. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Supreme Court lawyers Barrister Ehsan A Siddiq and Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir presented the plea, arguing that the original writ that led to the cancellation of Jamaat's registration was driven by political motives. The Appellate Division had previously reinstated Jamaat-e-Islami's appeal against the High Court's decision on October 22. This reinstatement allows the party to participate in the hearing concerning the 2013 verdict that invalidated its registration as a political entity. The High Court's decision on August 1, 2013, to annul Jamaat's registration was delivered by a three-member bench consisting of Justice M Moazzem Hossain, Justice M Enayetur Rahim, and Justice Kazi Reza-ul-Huq. The judgment, delivered by majority, concluded that the registration conferred to Jamaat by the Election Commission exceeded lawful authority.
