DHAKA– The Bangladesh High Court on Wednesday ruled that the dismissal of former Deputy Assistant Director of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Sharif Uddin, was illegal and ordered his reinstatement with full seniority and benefits.
A High Court bench comprising Justice Rezaul Hasan and Justice Biswajit Debnath issued the ruling following the final hearing of Uddin’s writ petition challenging the legality of his dismissal, local media reported.
Speaking to the leading Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo after the verdict, senior attorney Salah Uddin Dolan, who represented Sharif Uddin, stated that the court declared the dismissal “null and void” and directed the ACC to reinstate Uddin within 30 days with full seniority and all associated benefits.
ACC attorney Asif Hasan said a decision regarding a possible appeal would be made after the verdict is formally communicated to the commission.
Sharif Uddin was removed from his post on February 16, 2022, during former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, without any explanation. Subsequent reports alleged that several corruption charges had been brought against him.
In response, Uddin filed a writ petition on March 13, 2022, seeking reinstatement and contesting the constitutionality of Rule 54(2) of the ACC Employee Rules, which allows for termination without providing a reason.
After a preliminary hearing, the High Court issued a rule on February 6, 2024, asking why Sharif Uddin’s dismissal should not be declared illegal and why he should not be reinstated with full salary and benefits. The court directed the ACC and other relevant parties to respond.
The final verdict, delivered a day after the concluding hearing, reinstates Uddin to his previous position.
Since taking power in August last year, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has faced criticism for allegedly harboring corrupt individuals as well as radical and extremist Islamic figures.
The abrupt ouster of Sheikh Hasina was widely regarded as a significant blow to Bangladesh’s democratic framework. (Source: IANS)
