Jamaat-appointed lawyer Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir on Monday said that banning order of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir is likely to be withdrawn today (Tuesday).
"The interim government may issue a circular on Tuesday to withdraw an order of the Awami League government banning Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir on August 1," Shishir Manir came up with the disclosure at a press briefing at the Supreme Court premises on Monday.
Under Section 18(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act-2009, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification banning Jamaat and its student wing Chhatra Shibir. Three days later, on August 5, the Awami League government fall following the students' movement and Sheikh Hasina fled the country.
According to sources, the Jamaat raised the issue of ban with the new interim government. The responsible persons of the government wanted to know from the Jamaat, under which law the prohibition order can be revoked. Jamaat then appointed Shishir Monir as their lawyer.
During the press briefing, Manir said, "As this is a legal issue, Jamaat-appointed lawyers held a series of discussion with the high-ups of the concerned department of the government and advisers. At one stage, we requested the home ministry and talked about the legal steps that can be taken to solve the issue."
"On August 12, Jamaat had an official meeting with the chief adviser. According to the discussion of the meeting, the legal aspects were examined, and necessary steps were taken for an immediate solution," the lawyer added.
"Following the request, they told us that all the administrative works have been done … the order of banning Jamaat-Shibir will be withdrawn within the quickest possible time, or even by tomorrow," Shishir Manir added.
Asked on which ground they demanded withdrawal of the ban; the lawyer said the Awami League government banned Jamaat-Shibir on the ground that the parties are involved in terrorist activities. But they did not specify or give any explanation about the criminal activities.
The Awami League took the steps on August 1 to divert the issue of the mass student protest, he said.
"We even asked the present government to show such activities, if they find any," he said.
Asked why Jamaat chose an executive order instead of going to court for it, Manir said Section 19 of the Anti-Terrorism Act-2009 mentions that the authorities concerned or the government can take steps in this regard.
"As the Jamaat-Shibir was banned under the Anti-Terrorism Act-2009, we have to take all the steps as per Section 19," he added.
Manir said they will start the legal procedure regarding the registration of Jamaat and its symbol after the ban is withdrawn.
After the publication of the gazette, legal measures would be taken for the re-hearing of Jamaat's registration case in the Appellate Division, Shishir Manir said, expressing hope that justice would be ensured from the highest court of the new Bangladesh.
