Ishraque's swearing-in as DSCC mayor delayed as govt awaits court ruling

After the High Court dismissed a writ petition opposing Ishraque Hossain’s swearing-in as mayor of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), the Local Government Division had begun preparations to administer his oath. However, the process is now on hold as the matter is once again under judicial consideration following a new round of legal action.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry, the division is now awaiting the court's verdict before proceeding with the oath-taking.

The ministry’s spokesman Md Salauddin noted that the legal wing of the Local Government Division confirmed that the High Court dismissed the writ challenging Ishraque’s appointment on May 22. Following that decision, the ministry initiated arrangements for his swearing-in.

However, on May 25, 2025, Ishraque himself filed a fresh writ petition, requesting to be sworn in as mayor. Additionally, on May 26, a petition for leave to appeal was submitted to the Appellate Division on behalf of a citizen, challenging the May 22 High Court ruling. As a result, the matter is now under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the Local Government Division has said it will not proceed until the legal process is completed.

On Monday, Local Government Secretary Rezaul Maksud Jahedi said: "The matter is now with the court. We are waiting for the court’s decision. We will act in accordance with the court's orders."

That same day, the lawyer for the original writ petitioner, Zahirul Islam Musa, filed an appeal against the High Court’s dismissal order in the Supreme Court's Chamber Court.

Meanwhile, Ishraque’s lawyer Mahbub Uddin Khokon sent a "reminder notice" to the local government ministry, urging them to proceed with the oath.

The most recent DSCC election was held on Feb 1, 2020, in which Awami League candidate Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh defeated BNP’s Ishraque, son of former Dhaka mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, by nearly 200,000 votes.

Following the change in government in 2024, the Dhaka Election Tribunal on Mar 27 annulled the 2020 results and declared Ishraque the rightful mayor. The Election Commission subsequently published a gazette notification on Apr 27, formally recognising him as DSCC mayor.

However, on May 14, a resident of Dhaka South and Supreme Court lawyer Md Mamunur Rashid filed a writ petition in the High Court seeking to halt Ishraque’s swearing-in.

In response, Ishraque’s supporters began protesting the same day, demanding that he be sworn in. Their demonstrations brought administrative operations at Nagar Bhaban to a virtual standstill.

Citing legal complexities, the Local Government Division held back on arranging the swearing-in until the matter was resolved in the High Court.

Although the writ petition was dismissed on May 22, the oath has yet to be administered. Meanwhile, Mamunur's legal team has now taken the Chamber Court, seeking to overturn the High Court ruling.