HC questions Mosharraf’s holding office of minister

The High Court today questioned the legality of holding the office of a minister by Housing and Public Works Minister Eng Mosharraf Hossain for his allegedly clinging to a profitable post simultaneously.

Mosharraf is holding the offices of a minister and chairman of Peninsula Chittagong Limited, a limited company, in violation of the constitution, a writ petition said, adding that the post of chairman of the company is a profitable job.
Following the petition, the HC issued a rule asking Mosharraf and the government to explain in three weeks under what authority he is holding the office of a minister, and as to why he should not be directed to leave this office.
The HC also asked the registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms to submit the audit reports and documents on Peninsula Chittagong Limited before it during hearing the rule, Deputy Attorney General Motaher Hossain Saju told The Daily Star.    
The HC bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal came up with the rule and order after hearing the petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer ZI Khan Panna challenging the legality of holding office of minister by Mosharraf.
He submitted the petition to the HC on November 23 saying that Article 147 of the constitution clearly prohibits a minister and a state minister from holding any office, post or position of profit or emolument.
But, Mosharraf is holding the posts of minister and of chairman of Peninsula Chittagong Limited, in violation of the constitution.
Shahdeen Malik placed arguments on behalf of the petitioner during the hearing.