The High Court has dismissed a writ petition seeking a stay on the process of appointing administrators to six city corporations across the country, including the two city corporations in Dhaka, which was initiated on 22 February.
The bench comprising Justice Sikder Mahmudur Raji and Justice Fatema Anwar passed the order on Thursday.
Deputy Attorney General Nur Muhammad Azami represented the state in court.
Six individuals, including Supreme Court lawyer Golam Kibria, filed the writ petition on 4 March.
The secretary of Local Government Division, the chief election commissioner, and the chief executive officers of six city corporations were named as respondents in the petition.
Earlier on 22 February, the Local Government Division issued a gazette notification appointing administrators to the six city corporations.
Under the notification, Md Abdus Salam was appointed administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), whilst Md Shafiqul Islam Khan was given charge of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).
Among the remaining four city corporations, Nazrul Islam Monju was appointed administrator in Khulna, Abdul Quiyum Choudhury in Sylhet, Md Sakhawat Hossain Khan in Narayanganj, and Md Showkat Hossain Sarker in Gazipur.
The notification stated that the appointments were made in accordance with sub-section (1) of Section 25A of the Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024.
It noted that the appointees will serve as full-time administrators of their respective city corporations until the formation of the city corporations or until further notice.
The notification specified that the appointed administrators will exercise the powers and perform the duties of city corporation mayors, receiving benefits and allowances as per the rules.
