HC rejects writ challenging legality of Mostaqur Rahman's appointment as governor

The High Court has dismissed a writ petition that challenged the legality of appointing Md Mostaqur Rahman as the Governor of Bangladesh Bank, replacing economist Ahsan H Mansur.

A bench comprising Justice Khizir Ahmed Chowdhury and Justice AFM Saiful Karim rejected the writ outright on Sunday, September 6, following a hearing [citation:0].

The government decision to appoint Mostaqur Rahman as Bangladesh Bank Governor stands, as a result. On February 25, the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance issued separate notifications canceling the remainder of Ahsan H Mansur's tenure and appointing Mostaqur Rahman as the new governor.

The interim government had appointed economist Ahsan H Mansur as Bangladesh Bank Governor on August 14, 2024. His term was scheduled to end in August 2028 under the agreement. After the BNP-led government assumed power, the remainder of his tenure was cancelled, and Mostaqur Rahman was appointed as governor for a four-year term.

Supreme Court lawyer Abdullah Al Mamun filed a writ petition with the High Court on March 5, questioning the legality of the government's decision. The petition sought a rule asking why the notifications removing Ahsan H Mansur and appointing Mostaqur Rahman should not be declared illegal and without legal authority. An interim stay on the notifications was also requested.

The petition named the Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division, the Governor of Bangladesh Bank, and Mostaqur Rahman as respondents. Lawyer Sani Abdul Haq appeared for the petitioner, while Deputy Attorneys General Mahfuz Bin Yusuf and Akhtar Hossain Mohammad Abdul Wahab represented the state.

Following the High Court order, state counsel Mahfuz Bin Yusuf confirmed that the court had rejected the writ outright. Petitioner's lawyer Abdullah Al Mamun said an appeal would be filed with the Appellate Division after receiving the court order.