HC writ filed challenging legality of BCB ad hoc committee

A writ petition was filed with the High Court on Thursday challenging the legality of the 11-member ad hoc committee of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

Seven lawyers, including Supreme Court advocate Md Golam Kibria, submitted the petition to the relevant branch of the High Court.

Advocate Golam Kibria told The Daily Star that the hearing of the petition will be held next week.

The respondents in the writ include the secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the chairman of the National Sports Council (NSC), its director of planning and development, and the president of the BCB’s ad hoc committee.

According to the petition, the BCB’s elected committee had assumed office on October 6, 2025 through what it described as a free and fair election and had been performing its duties in accordance with the law within its stipulated tenure.

However, on April 7, the NSC invoked Section 21 of the National Sports Council Act, 2018 to dissolve the elected committee and form an 11-member ad hoc body.

The petitioners argued that Section 21 allows for the formation of an ad hoc committee only under special circumstances, such as when a committee fails to perform its responsibilities properly or is involved in conflicting interests.

They contended that no such allegations had been established against the elected BCB committee, and that the provision was misapplied to dissolve it.

“The action is unlawful, arbitrary and contrary to the principles of natural justice,” the petition said.

The writ further stated that forming an ad hoc committee before the expiry of the elected body’s tenure undermines democratic processes and the autonomy of sports organisations, and is inconsistent with constitutional principles and fundamental rights.

Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has been appointed as president of the ad hoc committee.

Other members are Rashna Imam, Mirza Yasir Abbas, Sayeed Ibrahim Ahmed, Israfil Khasru, Minhajul Abedin Nannu, Athar Ali Khan, Tanjil Chowdhury, Salman Ispahani, Rafiqul Islam Babu and Fahim Sinha.

The NSC had earlier said that the decision to form the ad hoc committee was taken based on the findings of its investigation committee.