SC orders Zayed and Nipun to carefully respect chamber judge's status quo ruling

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered actors Zayed Khan and Nipun Akhter to abide by a chamber judge's judgment prohibiting them from holding the position of general secretary of the Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association (BFAA).

While hearing a contempt of court petition brought by Zayed against Nipun, a bench of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique issued the directive.

The petition was put on hold (waiting for a hearing) for four weeks, and the apex court indicated Zayed might file a leave to appeal petition with the court against the HC ruling by that time if he wanted.

During the hearing on Monday, lawyer Ahsanul Karim represented Zayed, while lawyer Rokanuddin Mahmud stood for Nipun.

On March 6, a SC chamber judge postponed the HC ruling that ruled Zayed's candidacy canceled and Nipun's appointment as BFAA general secretary "invalid" for four weeks.

However, until further order, Justice Obaidul Hassan, the chamber judge of the Appellate Division, directed Zayed and Nipun to retain the status quo in regards to holding the position of GS of the BFAA.

Following an appeal filed by Nipun challenging the HC verdict, the apex court chamber judge issued the ruling.