Photo: Collected
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has ruled in favour of reinstating 85 upazila nirbahi officers (UNO) who were sacked by the caretaker government in 2007. A five-member appellate bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed gave this verdict today (25 February).
Earlier on 3 September 2005, 327 upazila election officers were selected by the PSC. Following controversy, a re-evaluation during the caretaker government in 2007 resulted in the dismissal of 85 officers. The dismissed officers filed a case but the administrative tribunal initially dismissed it on 23 March 2009. Later, the administrative appeals tribunal ruled in their favour in 2010, ordering reinstatement.
This ruling was stayed by the Appellate Division's chamber court and then challenged by the state in an appeal in 2011. On 1 September 2022, the Appellate Division overturned the appeals tribunal's decision, effectively blocking the officers' reinstatement. The officers then filed a review petition in 2023, which the Appellate Division heard today and set 25 February for verdict on the matter.
Messenger/JRTarek
