The High Court on Tuesday asked the Anti-Corruption Commission to explain in two weeks why the dismissal of Sharif Uddin as deputy assistant director would not be declared illegal.

The court also asked the commission to explain why it would not be directed to reinstate his job with all the benefit since his dismissal on February 16, 2023.

The court also set April 21 for hearing of the ruling.

The bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Kazi Ebadoth Hossain issued the ruling after hearing a writ petition filed by Sharif Uddin on March on March 13, 2023, challenging the legality of his dismissal without giving his opportunity to defend himself.

Sharif said that he became a target of a section of influential people for his action against them while serving in Chattogram.

On May 24, 2023 the bench adjourned hearing in Sharif’ writ petition until the Appellate Division disposed of an ACC’ appeal against the another HC’s bench’s verdict declaring the dismissal of M Ahsan Ali as its deputy director for alleged misconduct on February 10, 2011.

The Appellate Division on March 16, 2023, upheld the High Court’s verdict that declared Ahsan’s termination illegal.

It, however, scrapped part of the HC verdict that annulled the Rule 54(2) of ACC service rule following which Ahsan was dismissed.

The Appellate Division, however, issued 12 guidelines and observations on termination of the job of employees of the government, semi-government, autonomous bodies, corporations, statutory bodies and institutions observing that the right to life included right to livelihood.

Sharif’ lawyer Md Salahuddin Dolon told the High Court that the ACC removed his client from the service without following any of the guidelines laid down by the apex court.