The High Court (HC) on Wednesday dismissed a writ filed by BNP’s candidate for the Cumilla-4 constituency, Manjurul Ahsan Munshi, effectively disqualifying him as a contestant in the 12 February general elections.

The bench of Justice Razik Al Jalil and Justice Md Anowarul Islam dismissed the writ, cancelling Munshi’s candidacy on the grounds he is a loan defaulter.

The HC decision removes all the potential strong rivals against Hasnat Abdullah, the candidate of NCP and the Jamaat-led 10-party alliance in Cumilla-4.

Munshi had filed the writ with the High Court to challenge the Election Commission’s decision that disqualified him as a loan defaulter.

Earlier, the returning officer at Cumilla-4 had approved Munshi’s nomination papers. However, Hasnat Abdullah filed an appeal with the Election Commission against the decision claiming Munshi was a loan defaulter.

On 17 January, the Election Commission cancelled Munshi’s nomination papers in an appeal hearing.