will take a constitutional decision

on the issue of BNP leader Ishraq Hossain's oath as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation.

Ishraq Hossain

On Thursday (May 29), a full appellate bench of 7 judges led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed made this observation after disposing of the petition.

Earlier, on Wednesday (May 28), the High Court's order dismissing the petition seeking directions not to administer the oath to Ishraq Hossain as mayor began the hearing of the leave to appeal.

Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon appeared for Ishraq in the court. Advocate Mohammad Hossain appeared for the writ petitioner.

The High Court dismissed the writ

petition filed on May 22 seeking a direction not to swear in Ishraq as the mayor of Dhaka South City. The order was given by a double bench of Justice Md. Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury.

The court dismissed the petition on the grounds that the petitioner lacked jurisdiction to file such a writ.

Writ petitioner Mamunur Rashid filed an appeal with the Appellate Division on Monday against the High Court order, seeking a stay of the High Court order.

Meanwhile, Ishraq's supporters

have continued their protest in front of the city hall demanding his appointment as mayor. All civic services at the city hall have been shut down for two weeks due to their agitation.

The Local Government Department says that the issue of Ishraq's swearing-in is now a 'sub-judice matter'. That is why they are awaiting the court's verdict.