HC verdict upheld ordering Dr Yunus's organisation to pay Tk 666 crore in taxes

High Court verdict upheld ordering Dr Yunus's organisation to pay Tk 666 crore in taxes

The Chamber Judge's Court of the Appellate Division has issued no order staying the High Court verdict that directed Grameen Kalyan, owned by former interim government Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, to pay Tk 666 crore in taxes claimed by the National Board of Revenue (NBR). As a result, lawyers said the High Court verdict asking for payment of the taxes currently remains in force.

The Chamber Judge's Court of the Appellate Division, led by Justice Farah Mahbub, passed the order on Monday, September 14. The court said it would not interfere in the case until the full High Court verdict is released.

Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun argued for the application, assisted by Barrister Khaja Tanvir Ahmed.

Earlier, on September 10, the High Court ruled that Grameen Kalyan must pay Tk 666 crore in taxes claimed by the NBR. The High Court bench led by Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia delivered the verdict, dismissing the rule issued following the writ petition.

Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun and Barrister Fida M Kamal appeared for Dr Yunus in court.

Later, Dr Yunus's lawyers filed an application with the Chamber Judge's Court on Monday, September 14, seeking a stay on that High Court verdict.

Following the July mass uprising, on October 4, 2024, the High Court had suo motu withdrawn its verdict ordering the collection of Tk 666 crore claimed by the NBR from Grameen Kalyan, owned by Dr Muhammad Yunus. The bench of Justice Mohammad Khurshid Alam Sarkar and Justice Sardar Md Rashed Jahangir withdrew that verdict. The case documents were also sent to the Chief Justice.

The case was later sent to a new bench for hearing. After re-evaluation, Grameen Kalyan filed two separate writs in 2017 regarding the tax demand from the organisation for the tax years 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17. The court issued a rule after a preliminary hearing. The new High Court bench later dismissed the rule and delivered the verdict.

Lawyers said that since the writ was dismissed, the NBR will be able to collect the money from Grameen Kalyan as income tax.