Schools to remain open during Ramadan: Appellate Division

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) has stayed the High Court (HC) order to keep primary and secondary schools closed during Ramadan.

The Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Obaidul Hasan passed the order on Tuesday (March 12) morning.

As a result, secondary and primary schools will remain opened during Ramadan as per the government decision made earlier, lawyers said.

Earlier, a person named Shafiur Rahman Chowdhury filed a writ seeking instruction of the court to keep schools closed during Ramadan, citing several issues including traffic congestion. In response to the petition, the HC bench of Justice KM Kamrul Quader and Justice Khizir Hayat suspended the government decision to keep schools open during Ramadan.

The government, in response, appealed against the HC order which was heard by the Chamber Court of the Appellate Division on Monday.

Chamber Justice M Inayetur Rahim referred the matter to the full bench of the Appellate Division for disposal. Accordingly, the appeal was included in the cause list of the Appellate Division today.

Attorney General AM Amin Uddin represented the state during the hearing while Advocate AKM Foyez moved for the petitioner.