Writ petition rejected, Awami League’s path to return remains closed
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
The High Court has rejected a writ petition challenging the legality of the ban on the activities of the Awami League. As a result, no legal path has been opened for the party to resume its activities.
A High Court bench comprising Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan rejected the petition on Sunday on the ground that it was not presented before the court.
The writ petition was filed challenging the legality of a notification issued by the interim government banning the activities of the Awami League, which was ousted from power during the July uprising.
A resident of Sreenagar upazila in Munshiganj named Al Amin filed the petition. Deputy Attorney General Nur Mohammad Azmi said Supreme Court lawyer Yunus Ali submitted the petition to the relevant section of the High Court on September 7 on his behalf.
The petition also challenged the legality of the ban on all activities of the Awami League as well as its affiliated, associate and fraternal organizations.
Within a few months after the Awami League government was ousted on August 5, 2024 following the student public uprising, the interim government banned the party’s associate organization Bangladesh Chhatra League. Chhatra League was banned as a “terrorist organization.”
Amid demands from young people who were active in the July uprising, the Home Ministry issued a notification on May 12, 2025, banning the activities of the Awami League and all its associate organizations.
The notification said all types of publications and campaigning by leaders and activists of the Awami League and all its affiliated, associate and fraternal organizations through the media, online platforms and social media, as well as processions, meetings, rallies and conferences, along with all other activities, were declared banned until the completion of trials at the International Crimes Tribunal.
Because of the notification, Awami League leaders and activists are unable to carry out party activities. They occasionally bring out flash processions in scattered incidents but face resistance from police.
The writ petition was filed amid political discussions over Sheikh Hasina’s announcement that she would return to the country in December after being ousted from power and taking shelter in India. The petition has now been rejected.
