SC extends stay on Lakehead school reopen order

The Supreme Court today extended for 10 days its earlier order that stayed its chamber judges’ order that halted a High Court verdict asking the authorities concerned to reopen the Dhanmondi and Gulshan branches of Lakehead Grammar School in Dhaka within 24 hours.

The two branches of the institution were shut down on charges of patronising extremism and militancy.

Today, the apex court asked the government to file a leave to appeal petition with this court against the High Court verdict in ten days.

It also fixed November 30 for hearing the leave to appeal petition.

A five-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Justice Abdul Wahhab Mia, who is performing functions of the Chief Justice, passed the order following two separate petitions filed by the government seeking stay on the High Court verdict.

During the proceedings today, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam submitted a government document before the apex court containing allegations against the school over militancy and extremism.

Going through the report, the apex court asked the attorney general to submit a report before this court in 10 days mentioning the specific teachers and staff of the school against whom the allegations have been brought.

The High Court on November 14 ordered the authorities concerned to reopen Lakehead Grammar School within 24 hours.

On the following day, the Supreme Court stayed until today (November 19) a High Court verdict that directed the authorities concerned to reopen Lakehead Grammar School in Dhaka within 24 hours.

On November 7, the Dhaka district administration sealed off the two branches of the school and shut down all activities of the school, based on allegations that it was patronising militancy, promoting extremist views and providing support in the formation of militant outfits.