HC bars Manna from polls over loan default

The High Court on Wednesday summarily rejected a writ petition filed by Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna seeking directive to remove his name from Bangladesh Bank's loan-defaulters' list.

The High Court bench of Justice Md Bazlur Rahman and Justice Md Monjur Alam passed the order after hearing the petition.

Consequent upon the High Court order, Manna will not be eligible to contest the next parliamentary election, said Deputy Attorney General Shafiqur Rahman who represented the state in the court hearing.

On the other hand, lawyer Ahsanul Karim who represented Mahmudur Rahman Manna said that they would challenge the High Court order before the Appellate Division.

Manna will contest the national election from Bagura-2 constituency. BNP has confirmed its support for Manna in the Jatiya Sangsad seat.

Earlier, on December 10, Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited's Bogura Borogola branch issued a call-back notice seeking recovery of Tk380.4 million from Afaku Cold Storage Limited, an entity led by Manna.

The notice asked the borrowers to clear the dues by December 18, warning of legal action in case of failure.

The notice, signed by branch head Touhid Reza, was sent to Afaku Cold Storage Chairman Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Managing Director ABM Nazmul Qadir Shajahan Chowdhury.

According to information placed before the court, Afaku Cold Storage is owned by Manna (50%), managing director ABM Nazmul Qadir Shajahan Chowdhury (25%), and director Ismat Ara Laizu (25%).

In a notice sent on December 3, the company's facility at Kichok Bazar in Shibganj, Bogura, was instructed to repay Tk 380.4 million (Tk38.04 crore) in defaulted investment.

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