SC orders reinstatement of 85 sacked election officials

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court today (25 February) ordered the reinstatement of 85 upazila election officers, who were dismissed by the caretaker government in 2007, along with all due benefits.

A five-member bench led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed passed the verdict, allowing review petitions filed by the appellants.

The court also directed that the families of three deceased officers among the 85 receive all lawful benefits.

Senior advocate Salah Uddin Dolon represented the appellants, while Prabir Niyogi, Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal, Md Khalekuzzaman Bhuiyan, and Additional Attorney General Aneek Rushd Haque appeared for the state and the Election Commission.

The officers were among 327 selected by the PSC in 2005 but were sacked in 2007.

The legal battle saw multiple rulings, with today’s verdict finally settling the matter in favor of the dismissed officials.