HC summons Dr Muhammad Yunus
He has been asked to appear before a virtual HC bench on March 16
The High Court (HC) Thursday summoned Nobel laureate economist Dr Muhammad Yunus to explain failing to comply with a previous court order on reappointing a group of sacked Grameen Telecom employees.
He has been asked to appear before the court on March 16 virtually and explain the contempt of court.
At the same time, the court issued a rule asking why action will not be taken against Muhammad Yunus for not complying with the court order.
A virtual HC bench of Justice Mozibur Rahman Mia and Justice Kamrul Hossain Molla passed the order responding to a petition filed by Grameen Telecom Workers Union President Md Kamaruzzaman.
During the hearing, Advocate Yusuf Ali moved for the petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Nowroz Md Russell Chowdhury represented the state.
Later the deputy attorney general told the press that Dr Yunus had been asked to appear before the court in person. Since the concerned HC bench is running virtually, he will have to appear virtually.
Advocate Yusuf Ali said Dr Yunus had terminated 99 workers by issuing a single notice without consulting the organisation's collective bargaining agent (CBA) leaders. The notice was signed by Grameen Telecom Managing Director Md Ashraful Hasan.
He said an appeal was filed with the HC in November 2020, challenging the layoff. After the hearing, the court in January 2021 ordered reappointment of the staffers.
"But, they have not been reappointed despite the court order. That is why a contempt case was filed," added Advocate Yusuf.