HC orders BB to act on reinstatement of 547 staff

The High Court (HC) on Sunday directed the Bangladesh Bank (BB) governor to promptly consider the application submitted by 547 dismissed employees of Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC seeking reinstatement in their jobs.

The court also issued a rule asking the respondents to explain within four weeks why they should not be ordered to reinstate the dismissed employees.

The order came from a HC bench comprising Justice Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Foyej Ahmed, following a writ petition filed by 300 dismissed employees, including Didarul Islam, Shafiqul Islam, and Aminul Islam.

Barristers AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon and HM Shanjid Siddique represented the petitioners in court.

On July 20, Al-Arafah Islami Bank authorities had suddenly terminated 547 employees, citing audit findings by regulators and independent firms. The evaluation, conducted through Dhaka University's Institute of Business Administration, assessed 1,414 officers; 864 passed and were retained, while 547 failed and were released.

bikashju@gmail.com