Dhaka, May 13 (V7N) – The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court began hearing Jamaat-e-Islami’s appeal to regain its cancelled registration as a political party on Tuesday (May 13), with the next session scheduled for Wednesday.

The hearing began at 10 a.m. before a four-member bench led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed.

Barrister Ehsan Abdullah Siddique appeared on behalf of Jamaat. During the session, the Chief Justice remarked that the High Court’s verdict cancelling the registration of a political party was the first of its kind in the country's judicial history.

Responding to the Chief Justice, Jamaat’s legal counsel argued that such an incident—where a court invalidated a political party’s registration—has no precedent in the subcontinent. He further asserted that the registration was granted by the Election Commission, and its cancellation by the High Court was politically motivated and procedurally flawed.

“This cancellation was done in a way that aimed to politically humiliate the party,” Siddique told the bench. “We believe the registration will be restored through a fair hearing.”

Earlier on May 7, the Appellate Division had set May 13 for hearing the appeal regarding Jamaat’s registration and electoral symbol. The appeal hearing had initially started on March 12, after the Appellate Division revived the case, which had previously been dismissed on October 22 last year.

Advocate Shishir Monir, another lawyer for Jamaat-e-Islami, confirmed that the hearing will continue on Wednesday.

The case is being closely watched by political observers, given its potential implications for party registration laws and electoral participation in Bangladesh.

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