Dhaka, Dec 04 (V7N) – The Appellate Division has dismissed the leave to appeal filed against the High Court verdict that upheld the validity of the interim government, officially declaring the current government legal and constitutionally valid.

The order was passed on Thursday morning by a seven-member full bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed. With this verdict, the Appellate Division fully endorsed the High Court’s earlier decision, removing any remaining legal challenges to the formation of the interim administration.

Background of the Case

The leave-to-appeal petition was filed challenging the legitimacy of the interim government formed following the August 5 mass uprising.

During Wednesday’s hearing, the Attorney General argued that the government formed through a popular uprising cannot be questioned in court—especially before the same Supreme Court that was reconstituted and sworn in after the government took office.

However, petitioner Mohsin Rashid claimed that the formation process was unconstitutional. His argument stated that during the August 5 crisis, the then Chief Justice and Appellate Division judges took refuge in the cantonment, preventing them from providing the President’s advisory opinion under Article 106 regarding government formation. Based on this, he argued that the swearing-in of the current interim government was illegal.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also joined the petition, supporting the challenge to the government’s legality.

What Happened Earlier

The writ was initially filed by Mohsin Rashid in December last year. However, the High Court rejected his arguments and dismissed the petition. The appeal to the Appellate Division was the final attempt to overturn that decision—now conclusively dismissed.

With today’s verdict, all legal obstacles regarding the legitimacy of the interim government have been settled.

END/SMA/AJ