Allegations of irregularities and manipulation in hearings and judgments in nine cases concerning the recruitment of government primary school teachers have been raised against Supreme Court lawyer Siddiq Ullah Mia.

On Wednesday (October 28), the Appellate Division summoned Siddiq Ullah Mia, who represented the petitioners in the cases, seeking an explanation regarding the alleged irregularities.

The court said it might also seek explanations from the judges of the relevant High Court bench if necessary.

The matter has been scheduled for an order on Thursday (October 29) before the Appellate Division led by the chief justice.

According to court sources, on October 16, 2023, a High Court Division bench comprising Justice Naima Haider and another judge delivered a verdict in Writ Petition No. 919 of 2020. Citing the failure to properly follow the 60 per cent quota for women under Rule 7 of the Government Primary School Teacher Recruitment Rules, 2013, the court cancelled the recruitment results announced at the time and directed the authorities to prepare a fresh merit list and appoint the writ petitioners within six months.

According to the allegations, affidavits were prepared to include 64 additional co-petitioners beyond the original 58 petitioners. However, the applications were allegedly placed directly before the judge without following the regular section procedures, formally listing the names or serving notices on the respondents, including the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education and the relevant directorate. The applications were reportedly allowed and heard within a single day.

The High Court delivered its judgment just four days after the main hearing. Allegations have been raised that the order favoured the newly added co-petitioners while excluding the original petitioners.

Similar allegations of manipulation have surfaced in a total of nine cases related to primary school teacher recruitment.

The state subsequently filed leave-to-appeal petitions before the Appellate Division challenging the High Court judgment. During the hearing, the court reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction after irregularities and alleged manipulation in the case records, including the unusually rapid handling of the proceedings, came to light.

Asked about the allegations, lawyer Siddiq Ullah Mia said some of the original petitioners had been excluded while others had been added.

“I followed the procedures, although there were some complications at the section,” he said, adding that he would be able to provide further details after the court issues its order on Thursday.