DHAKA, May 29, 2025 (BSS) -The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) today disposed of with observation a leave to appeal petition for staying the court judgment and the Election Commission (EC) gazette that declared BNP leader Ishraque Hossain mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
 
The Appellate Division’s full bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, passed the order after hearing the arguments of the petitioner’s lawyer and the counsel of Ishraque.
 
The BNP leader’s counsel, Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, said following the order, the EC gazette, declaring Ishraque DSCC mayor, remains effective, while the petitioner’s lawyer, Mohammad Hossain, said the gazette no longer effective.
 
EC lawyer Dr Md Yasin Khan, on the other hand, said the apex court today reminded the fact that the election commission is constitutionally independent in running its operation. 
 
“Now the Election Commission will decide in this regard,” said Advocate Khan.
 
Supreme Court lawyer Md Mamunur Rashid filed the writ with the concerned wing of the Appellate Division on May 26.
 
Earlier on May 21, the High Court summarily rejected a writ petition filed by Rashid that challenged the Dhaka First Joint District Judge and Election Tribunal's verdict declaring BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
 
“Rejected summarily with observation and direction,” said the order passed by the High Court division bench of Justice Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury.

Earlier, on March 27, Judge Md Nurul Islam of Dhaka First Joint District Judge and Election Tribunal cancelled the results of the 2020 DSCC election and announced BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as DSCC mayor. 
 
The Election Commission on April 27 issued the gazette notification, declaring the BNP leader as mayor.