The High Court today cleared the way for Zayed Khan for assuming the office of general secretary of Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association (BFAA). The court declared cancellation of Zayed's candidacy, and declaring Nipun as general secretary of BFAA, "illegal".

The HC bench of Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman delivered the verdict after holding hearing on a writ petition filed by Zayed, challenging the legality of the cancellation of his candidacy and declaring Nipun as GS of the association.

The court, in the verdict, said that the Election Appeal Board had taken the decision under the directive from the Ministry of Social Welfare, which is "illegal". The Election Appellate Board cannot cancel the candidacy of a candidate, the HC observed.

The full text of the HC verdict was not released yet. Nipun's lawyer Mustafizur Rahman Khan told The Daily Star that his client will move an appeal before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court very soon, challenging the HC verdict.

Lawyer Ahsanul Karim appeared for Zayed Khan. Following the same writ petition of Zayed, the HC on February 7 stayed for a week the social welfare ministry and Appellate Board's decision that cancelled his candidacy.

The Supreme Court chamber judge on February 9 stayed an HC order that halted the authorities' decision cancelling the candidacy of Zayed and declaring film actress Nipun as GS of the association.