HC adjourns hearing on NBR restructuring challenge

The High Court today adjourned the hearing of a writ petition challenging the government’s decision to separate the functions of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and create two new divisions.

The bench of Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Md Anowarul Islam set the matter down for hearing in two weeks without issuing any rule on the government’s decision.

Barrister Md Omar Farouq, representing the NBR, told The Daily Star that the court deferred the hearing as a new parliament is expected to begin functioning soon and may address the relevant ordinance concerning the separation of the NBR.

He said the government promulgated an ordinance on May 12 last year to separate the NBR’s policy-making functions and establish two new entities: the Revenue Policy Division and the Revenue Management Division.

Tanvir Ahmed, a joint secretary at the Cabinet Division, filed the writ petition with the High Court on February 2 this year, challenging the legality of the ordinance.

Farouq argued that the petition lacked merit, adding that a government officer cannot file a writ petition before the High Court challenging a government decision.

Barrister Fida M Kamal appeared for the petitioner during today’s hearing.