Petition filed at High Court challenging Ahsan Mansur’s removal as BB governor

A petition has been filed in the High Court challenging the legality of removing Ahsan H Mansur as governor of Bangladesh Bank and appointing Md Mostaqur Rahman in his place.

The public interest petition was filed on Thursday by Abdullah Al Mamun, a Supreme Court lawyer.

It named the finance secretary, Bangladesh Bank, and the newly appointed governor as respondents.

Mansur was removed on Feb 25, just a week after taking oath, as the Ministry of Finance issued a notification cancelling the remainder of his tenure.

On the same day, garment sector businessman Mostaqur—who had served on the BNP’s election management committee—was appointed governor.

The petition seeks a stay on both notifications and a rule asking why they should not be declared illegal and beyond lawful authority.

It cites the Bangladesh Bank Order 1972, noting that under Article 15(1)(a), a governor cannot be removed without reason, such as incapacity, breach of trust, or acting against the bank’s interests.

The petition argues that no reason was provided, no investigation conducted, and Mansur was not given an opportunity to defend himself, which it says is “completely contrary” to principles of natural justice.

The petition also questions Mostaqur’s qualifications.

Lawyer Sarwar Hossain said, “The person who has been appointed governor is clearly a loan defaulter. Newspaper reports say the current governor has shareholdings and business connections with companies linked to bank looter S Alam.

“It is believed that S Alam manipulated the process to have him appointed governor.”

Referring to the recent mass uprising, Sarwar said: “Appointing such a person as the governor of Bangladesh Bank is like putting a cat in charge of guarding dried fish.

“He became governor and immediately approved Tk 10 billion to a bank, and it is known that arrangements have been made to provide Tk 8 billion in loans to an industry owned by his father.”

He added: “The law clearly states that a governor can only be removed by proving inefficiency or incapacity, and that a loan defaulter cannot be appointed to the position.

“We hope the court will declare the removal and the new appointment process illegal after hearing the case.”