Bangladesh’s people have won against bank looters: Hasnat Abdullah

Hasnat Abdullah, the candidate from the 11-party alliance in the Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency for the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad election, has declared victory for the people of Bangladesh in their fight against bank looters and loan defaulters.

In a Facebook post on Sunday (1 February), shortly after the Appellate Division rejected BNP candidate Manjurul Ahsan Munshi’s final appeal, Hasnat wrote: “In the fight between the people of Bangladesh and bank looters & loan defaulters, the people of Bangladesh have won.”

Earlier on Sunday morning, a five-member Appellate Division bench dismissed Manjurul Ahsan Munshi’s leave-to-appeal petition, upholding the Election Commission’s decision to cancel his nomination on grounds of loan default. Lawyers confirmed that the ruling is final and Munshi is now ineligible to contest the election.

The controversy began when Returning Officer initially accepted Munshi’s nomination. However, following a complaint from Hasnat Abdullah alleging loan default, the Election Commission cancelled the nomination on 17 January.

Munshi challenged the decision in the High Court, but the petition was rejected outright on 21 January. He then filed a regular leave-to-appeal in the Appellate Division, which has now been dismissed, bringing an end to the legal battle.