Hearing on Papul's parliament membership cancellation on 22 February 

The High Court has fixed 22 February for hearing on the rule issued on the cancellation of parliament membership post of Laxmipur-2 lawmaker Shahid Islam Papul, who was convicted in Kuwait on charges of human trafficking.

The High Court bench comprising Justice Govindra Chandra Tagore and Justice Mohammad Ullah passed the order on Monday. 

Lawyer Sheikh Awsafur Rahman appeared for the petitioner in the court.

Abul Fayez Bhuiyan, an independent candidate from Laxmipur-2 constituency, filed a writ petition in the High Court on 16 August, 2020, challenging the legality of his candidature.

 In the writ petition, the Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad, Chief Election Commissioner, Secretary of the Election Commission, Secretary of the Parliament Secretariat, Deputy Commissioner of Laxmipur and Member of Parliament Kazi Shahid Islam Papul were made defendants.

Following the hearing of the writ petition, the High Court issued a rule on 18 August, 2020 asking why the post of MP of Shaheed Islam Papul would not be declared vacant. 

Kazi Papul, an independent lawmaker from the Lakshmipur-2 constituency, was arrested in Kuwait on 6 June last year over allegations of human trafficking and illegal visa trade.

After around seven months of trial for human trafficking, a Kuwait court sentenced Papul to four years in jail.