High Court dismisses writ, cancelling Manjurul Ahsan Munshi’s candidacy

The High Court (HC) on Wednesday rejected a writ petition filed by BNP candidate Manjurul Ahsan Munshi for the Cumilla-4 constituency, effectively disqualifying him from contesting the 12 February general elections.

A bench comprising Justice Razik Al Jalil and Justice Md Anowarul Islam dismissed the petition, citing Munshi’s status as a loan defaulter, and thereby annulled his candidacy. The ruling removes one of the key potential challengers to Hasnat Abdullah, the candidate of the NCP and the Jamaat-led 10-party alliance in Cumilla-4.

Munshi had approached the High Court to contest the Election Commission’s decision disqualifying him over outstanding loans.

Earlier, the returning officer for Cumilla-4 had approved Munshi’s nomination papers. However, Hasnat Abdullah filed an appeal with the Election Commission, citing Munshi’s loan default. On 17 January, the commission upheld the appeal and cancelled Munshi’s nomination.