Dhaka, April 15, 2026 — Detained Supreme Court lawyer and former lawmaker Syed Sayedul Haque Suman has filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking permission to contest the upcoming Bangladesh Bar Council election while in custody.
The petition was filed on Wednesday by Advocate Md. Liton Ahmed on Suman’s behalf. The respondents in the case include the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the Bangladesh Bar Council, and the Dhaka District Commissioner.
According to the petition, the Bangladesh Bar Council announced the election schedule on April 7, setting April 16 as the deadline for submitting nomination papers. The election is scheduled to be held on May 19.
Currently detained at Keraniganj Central Jail in multiple cases, Suman has been unable to physically sign and submit his nomination papers. His legal team had requested the authorities to facilitate the process through the district administration, but no action has been taken so far.
The writ argues that such inaction effectively deprives the candidate of his right to participate in the election, constituting a violation of constitutional rights, including equality before the law, protection of law, and freedom to choose a profession under Articles 27, 31, and 40 of the Constitution.
Suman has sought court directives to ensure arrangements for signing and submitting his nomination papers, even if the official deadline has passed. The petition also calls for the inaction of the district administration to be declared unlawful.
