The Appellate Division on Sunday stayed a High Court order that had declared August 15 a national holiday for National Mourning Day in 2008.

A six-member bench led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed issued the stay after hearing an appeal challenging the High Court's decision, according to Additional Attorney General Barrister Anik R Haq. 

He said August 15 was declared a public holiday through a verdict. The government has filed a leave to appeal against it. The order has been stayed through verdict. It will come up for hearing later.

In 1996, the Awami League (AL) government declared August 15, the anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's assassination, as National Mourning Day and a public holiday. However, the BNP-led four-party alliance government revoked the observance and holiday in 2002.

In 2008, three lawyers backed by the Awami League filed a writ petition with the High Court, which invalidated the BNP-led government's decision, reinstating National Mourning Day as a public holiday. 

The recent appeal sought a stay on the observance and public holiday for August 15.

BDST: 1201 HRS, DEC 02, 2024
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