High Court ruling bars Mahmudur Rahman Manna from contesting national election

The High Court has dismissed a writ petition filed by Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of the political party Nagorik Oikya, seeking removal of his name from the list of loan defaulters, effectively preventing him from contesting the upcoming national parliamentary election, government lawyers have said.

A High Court bench, consisting of Justice Md Bazlur Rahman and Justice Md Manjur Alam, delivered the ruling on Wednesday.

Manna was represented in court by senior lawyer Ahsanul Karim and barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, while Deputy Attorney General Shafiqul Rahman appeared on behalf of the state.

Following the hearing, Deputy Attorney General Shafiqul Rahman said Manna had filed the writ petition seeking an order to remove his name from Bangladesh Bank’s loan defaulters’ list. “The court has rejected the petition. As a result, he will not be eligible to take part in the election,” he said.

Manna’s lawyer, barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, said they would appeal against the High Court’s decision.

The ruling comes amid ongoing financial disputes involving Afaku Cold Storage Limited, a company led by Manna. On 10 December, Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited’s Bogura Baragola branch issued a “call-back notice” seeking recovery of Tk 380.4 million in defaulted loans from the company.

According to the notice, the outstanding amount must be repaid by 18 December, failing which legal action would be taken. The notice was sent to Manna, who serves as chairman of the company, as well as to its managing director, ABM Nazmul Kadir Shajahan Chowdhury.

Bank records show that Manna holds a 50 per cent stake in Afaku Cold Storage, while the managing director and his wife, director Ismat Ara Laisu, each hold 25 per cent.

The bank said it approved an investment of Tk 220 million for the company in 2010. However, due to irregular payment of profits, charges and penalties, the outstanding amount has increased over time. Despite being described as a profitable business, the bank said there had been no meaningful progress in loan repayment.

After repeated failures to recover the dues, Touhid Reza, the head of Islami Bank's Bogura Baragola branch, said the bank took legal steps.