HC challenges BCC mayor's legality

The High Court (HC) yesterday issued a rule upon the newly elected Barisal City Corporation (BCC) Mayor Shawkat Hossain Hiron and authorities concerned to explain within four weeks under what authority he (Hiron) is holding the office of BCC mayor.
A vacation bench of the HC comprised of Justice Mirza Hussain Haider and Justice Mamnoon Rahman passed the order upon a writ petition filed by Shamsul Alam Sabuj, a voter and businessman in BCC.
BCC Mayor Shawkat Hossain Hiron, secretary to the Election Commission (EC), BCC and LGRD secretary were made respondents in the rule.
The petitioner stated in the petition that as per the rules of the Local Government (City Corporation) Elections Ordinance, 2008, persons with financial dealings with the city corporations cannot contest the city corporation elections.
The petition stated that the newly elected mayor of BCC Shawkat Hossain Hiron still holds the lease of a BCC property where he set up an amusement park --Planet World -- for children. The park is being run commercially following a deal with BCC.
"Shawkat Hossain Hiron has filed an application with BCC on October 13, 2007, to increase the tenure of the lease for over 30 years and has increased the entrance fee of the park from Tk 10 to Tk 30. This application is still pending with BCC which means Hiron is still maintaining financial deals with the BCC," the petition said.
Shamsul Alam Sabuj also said in the petition that someone maintaining financial deals with the BCC couldn't hold the post of mayor.
Barrister Masood Reza Sobhan, assisted by Barrister Fatema S Sobhan and advocate Saiful Karim appeared for the petitioner.