The High Court's (HC) vacation bench of Justice ABM Khairul Haque issued the order responding to a writ petition by six civil society groups and a member of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Bangladesh (AMJB).

The writ filed on Monday by Dr Kamal Hossain on behalf of Odhikar, Sammilito Samajik Andolon, Ain o Salish Kendra, Karmojibi Nari, Jatiyo Ainjibi Parishad and Nijera Kori and AK Rezaul Karim, an AMJB member, challenged the ban and sought a rule on it. The same day the court fixed yesterday for hearing on the matter.

Meanwhile, anti-Ahmadiyya campaigner International Khatme Nabuwat Movement Bangladesh (IKNMB) yesterday announced that they would lay siege to Ahmadiyya Complex on Bakshibazar on December 23 next year.

In protest at the HC order, IKNMB brought out a procession from Rahim Metal Mosque in Tejgaon after the Asr prayers yesterday. While marching towards Ahmadiyya Mosque in Nakhalpara they chanted slogans demanding government move to declare the sect non-Muslims. Police intercepted the procession at Nabisco Crossing.

The government, on January 8, banned Ahmadiyya publications in the face of agitation by religious bigots spearheaded by some leaders of Islamic Oikya Jote, a constituent of ruling BNP-led alliance.

The attorney general did not turn up to the court yesterday although Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Helal Uddin Mollah on Monday told the court that Attorney General Hassan Ariff would make submission on the matter.

Dr Kamal Hossain, Dr M Zahir and Barrister Tanjib-ul Alam moved for the petitioners while the DAG for the state.

Meanwhile, the court turned down Advocate ABM Nurul Islam's plea to appoint him amicus curiae (somebody who assists court).

The petitioners asked the court to issue a rule on the home secretary, senior assistant secretary of home ministry, inspector general of police and deputy controller of Bangladesh Press to reply as to why the ban would not be declared illegal and stay the operation of the ban order.