A legal notice has been sent to prevent BNP leader Ishraq Hossain from being sworn in as the Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Two residents of Dhaka issued the notice, challenging the verdict and decree by the First Joint District Judge and Electoral Tribunal that declared Ishraq as mayor. The notice, sent on Sunday, April 27, instructed authorities to refrain from publishing any gazette in Ishraq’s name or proceeding with his oath-taking. The matter came to public attention on Monday, April 28.

Despite the notice, the Election Commission had already published a gazette notification declaring Ishraq Hossain as mayor through an amendment. Lawyer Md. Moniruzzaman, representing the two citizens, confirmed the issuance of the legal notice. He stated that although the notice was served on Sunday, the Election Commission proceeded to publish the gazette later that night. He added that the next course of action would be determined after consulting with the notice senders.

The development follows a landmark judgment on March 27, when Judge Md. Nurul Islam of Dhaka’s First Joint District Judge and Electoral Tribunal annulled the previous result of the 2020 DSCC election, which had declared Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh as the winner. In place, the tribunal ruled in favor of Ishraq Hossain, declaring him the rightful mayor.

Following the tribunal’s decision, Rafiqul Islam and Mamunur Rashid, both residents of Kakrail in Dhaka, initiated legal action through their lawyer Moniruzzaman. They sent the notice to the Secretary of the Local Government Division, the Law Secretary, the Chief Election Commissioner, the Secretary of the Election Commission, Judge Md. Nurul Islam, and Ishraq Hossain himself.

The situation has introduced a new layer of legal complexity to Dhaka’s city governance as both political and legal circles closely watch how the matter unfolds. With the gazette already published, the success of the legal notice and any subsequent review petition will be critical in determining the final outcome regarding Ishraq Hossain’s assumption of mayoral responsibilities.