SC grants leave: Nipun to act as BFAA General Secretary

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday granted leave to appeal of actress Nipun Akhter, against the High Court verdict on the post of General Secretary of Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association (BFAA), reports BSS.

The Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique gave the order.

Attorneys of the plaintiff told BSS that, the Appellate Division has also suspended the ruling that actor Zayed Khan's candidature for the post of general secretary in the election of the Film Artists Association was valid.

As a result, there is no hindrance in performing the duties of the general secretary (GS) of the association by Nipun Akhter.

On January 28, Zayed was declared the winner as the BFAA General Secretary. His rival candidate Nipun sent a written complaint to the Election Appellate Board alleging of taking wrongful measures by Zayed in the elections.

On February 5, the Election Appellate Board held a meeting and declared Nipun as the new GS and cancelled the candidature of Zayed. Later, Zayed filed a writ petition against the decision of the Election Appellate Board to the High Court.

The High Court on February 7 stayed the decision of the Election Appeal Board.

The court also issued the rule asking the authorities concerned to explain within a week as to why it shall not declare illegal and a letter of the Department of Social Services giving the ultimate authority to the appellate board in taking such a decision and the decision of the appeal board, cancelling the candidature of Zayed Khan.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on February 9 stayed the High Court order that halted the Election Appellate Board's decision till February 13.

The court also issued status quo on functions of the association's general secretary, saying that none can hold the post of general secretary till the further order.

On March 8, Zayed Khan filed a contempt of court petition stating that despite the ban imposed by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Nipun has been sitting in the chair introducing herself as the general secretary and conducting activities, which were published in various media.

On March 14, the Appellate Division (AD) directed both Nipun and Zayed Khan to abide by the stay order on general secretary post of the Association.