The Supreme Court yesterday cleared the way for the authorities concerned to hold the tests for recruiting senior officers, officers and cash officers in three state-run banks -- Sonali, Rupali and Janata.

Chamber Judge of the SC's Appellate Division Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain stayed for six weeks a High Court order that halted the examinations scheduled for today.

He ruled that the recruitment procedures of the candidates as per the 2016 circulars will not be affected by this order. Justice Hossain delivered the order following a petition filed by Bangladesh Bank.

Following the order, the Bangladesh Bank can take initiatives to conduct recruitment tests for all eight banks including Sonali, Rupali and Janata banks today, Barrister Munirujjaman, a lawyer for Bangladesh Bank, told reporters.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam appeared for the central bank.

Following a writ petition, the HC on January 7 stayed the recruitment tests.

It also issued a rule asking the respondents to explain within four weeks why they should not be directed to hold the exams as per the 2016 circulars, which were separately issued by the BB, before holding the recruitment tests based on the 2017 circular.