The Supreme Court on Sunday stayed for eight weeks a High Court order that allowed the Hajj pilgrims to go to Saudi Arabia by any airlines of their choice.
An Appellate Division vacation chamber bench of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury passed the order following a petition filed by the state.
However, it said first writ petitioner Rezaul Islam can go to Saudi Arabia by a plane of his own choice as per the HC order.
Attorney General Mahbubey Alam who stood for the state said the Supreme Court stayed the High Court order for eight weeks. The government will file regular appeal by the period, he said.
On April 24 this year, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism decided to carry Hajj pilgrims only by Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd and Saudi Airlines.
Rezaul Islam, vice–president of Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) Abdul Kabir Khan and its general secretary Sheikh Abdullah filed the public interest litigation writ petition challenging the validity of the impugned government decision.
On July 29, the High Court passed an interim order allowing Hajj pilgrims to fly to Saudi Arabia by airlines of their choice.
The HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain in four weeks why its decision making it mandatory for pilgrims to perform Hajj by Biman Bangladesh and Saudi Airlines should not be declared illegal.
Source: UNBConnect
