Dhaka, Nov 22 – The High Court on Thursday stayed a Sonali Bank decision that rescheduled a loan of TK 27 crore in favour of AL leader and chief whip of 10th parliament ASM Firoz, who was elected from the Patuakhali-2 constituency.
Following the High Court order, ASM Firoz will consider as a loan defaulter. So he cannot take part in the next general election slated to be held on December 30, petitioner’s lawyer said.
In response to a writ petition, the HC bench comprising Justice Sheikh Hasan Arif and Justice Rajik Al Jalil also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned why the inaction of the Bangladesh Bank and Sonali Bank in making rescheduled the bank loan of ASM Firoz violating the rules and regulations should not be declared illegal.
Bangladesh Bank and Sonali Bank have been made respondents to reply to the rule within four weeks.
Ziaul Haque, mayor of Boufal municipality of Patuakhali district, filed the writ petition seeking its directive over the matter.
As per the law, none can take the opportunity of rescheduling the bank loan for more than three times. But, ASM Firoz in 2018 made rescheduled his loan of TK 27 crore violating the laws of the land.
Hence, the petition was filed before the HC seeking its directive over the matter, lawyers concerned said.
Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud appeared for the petitioner while deputy attorney general Mokhlesur Rahman represented the state. – Staff Reporter
