Dhaka, Dec 29 (V7N) — The Chamber Court of the Supreme Court has ordered the immediate removal of the name of Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna from the list of loan defaulters, clearing the way for him to contest the upcoming parliamentary election from Bogra.

The order was issued on Monday morning (December 29) by Justice Md. Rezaul Haque, who also suspended the High Court’s earlier order for eight weeks.

Earlier, Mahmudur Rahman Manna had filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking the removal of his name from the defaulters’ list. However, on December 24, a High Court bench comprising Justice Md. Bazlur Rahman and Justice Md. Manjur Alam dismissed the petition and ruled that he would remain a defaulter.

Subsequently, Manna filed an appeal against the High Court verdict, which was heard last Sunday. Following the hearing, the Chamber Court issued the stay order and granted immediate relief.

According to court sources, the case stems from a ‘call back notice’ issued on December 3 by the Barogola Branch of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited to Afaku Cold Storage Limited, a company in which Mahmudur Rahman Manna holds a stake. The notice sought recovery of Tk 38.476 crore in defaulted loans and instructed the borrowers to repay the dues by December 18, warning of legal action in case of failure.

Afaku Cold Storage Limited is located in Kichak Bazar, Shibganj, Bogra. According to the bank notice, Mahmudur Rahman Manna owns 50 percent of the company, while Managing Director ABM Nazmul Qadir Shajahan Chowdhury owns 25 percent, and the remaining 25 percent is held by director Ismat Ara Laiju, the wife of the managing director.

The bank stated that the company was approved an investment of Tk 22 crore in 2010, but failed to pay profits, service charges, and penalties regularly. As a result, the outstanding amount has risen to Tk 38.476 crore. The notice described the action as a final warning, noting that the company remained profitable despite prolonged non-payment.

With the Chamber Court’s order, there is currently no legal bar preventing Mahmudur Rahman Manna from participating in the election process.

END/SMA/AJ