Dhaka: The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) today granted ‘leave to appeal in a review prayer on the second-time viva-voce of the 27th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS). The division, led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, has scheduled December 4 for the hearing of the appeal.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Senior Advocate Barrister Salahuddin Dolon and Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kajal represented the examinees in court, while Additional Attorney General Anik R Haque appeared for the state. Discussing the court order, Barrister Salahuddin Dolon mentioned that approximately 1,200 candidates who were selected in the 27th BCS examination have been awaiting appointment. However, following the political shift on January 11, 2007, the then Caretaker Government annulled their viva-voce and decided to conduct it a second time.
In response to the government’s decision, the candidates filed a writ petition in the High Court, which, on November 11, 2009, declared the second BCS viva exams inva
lid. However, the government challenged the High Court’s order by filing a leave to appeal. On July 11, 2010, the Appellate Division settled the leave to appeal with an ‘observation’, deeming the second viva examination as the correct decision.
Barrister Dolon further stated that a review petition has been filed against the Appellate Division’s verdict. Consequently, the highest court has granted the review and set the date for the hearing of the appeal.