Published: 12:17 AM, 01 July 2026
Aslam Chowdhury cannot take oath as MP as SC cancels candidacy
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Tuesday cancelled the candidacy of BNP leader Aslam Chowdhury, who was declared elected from the Chattogram-4 constituency in the 13th parliamentary election, citing his defaulted loans. A four-member bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, delivered the verdict following an appeal filed challenging a High Court judgment that allowed Aslam to contest the election held on February 12 this year.
The apex court had concluded hearings on June 15 and fixed June 30 for delivering its judgment.
Senior lawyers Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Miftah Uddin Chowdhury represented Aslam Chowdhury, assisted by Advocate Rokon Uddin Md Faruk. Attorney General Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kajal appeared for the state, while Senior Advocate Kamal Ul Alam represented Bank Asia PLC.
The appeal was filed by Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Md Anwar Siddique against the High Court's directive, alleging that Aslam was a loan defaulter.
On January 18, the Election Commission rejected the appeals, allowing Aslam's candidature to stand. The decision was then challenged separately before the High Court, which dismissed both writ petitions on January 27, enabling the BNP leader to contest the election.
