The High Court today stayed the recruitment examination for senior officers, officers and cash officers of Sonali Bank, Rupali Bank and Janata Bank scheduled to be held on January 12.

In response to a writ petition, the court also stayed the process for recruitment to these posts on the basis of circulars issued by Bangladesh Bank in 2017.

It also issued a rule asking the respondents to explain why they should not be directed to hold examinations for the recruitments on the basis of the circulars issued in 2016 before holding the examinations for the recruitments on the basis of the circulars issued in 2017.

The bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice JBM Hassan came up with the order and rule after hearing a writ petition filed by 28 candidates who had applied for the recruitments on the basis of the circulars in 2016.

Advocate Rashedul Haque Khokon and Advocate Tanzim Al Islam appeared for the writ petitioners.

Citing from the writ petition, Advocate Tanzim told The Daily Star that Bangladesh Bank had issued three separate circulars in 2016 for recruiting senior officers, officers and cash officers to three state-run banks -- Sonali Bank, Rupali Bank and Janata Bank.

Without holding the recruitment examinations on the basis of the 2016 circular, the central bank issued a combined circular on December 26 last year for recruitments to these posts of eight state-run banks including Sonali Bank, Rupali Bank and Janata Bank, which is illegal, he said, adding that his clients have not applied for the posts on the basis of 2017 circular.

Finance secretary, governor of Bangladesh Bank and chairman and secretary of Bank Recruitment Selection Committee have been made respondents to the rule. 

The exam was scheduled to be held to recruit employees for 527 posts in Sonali Bank Limited, 161 in Janata Bank Limited, 283 in Rupali Bank Limited, 39 in Bangladesh Development Bank Limited, 351 in Bangladesh Krishi Bank, 231 in Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank, 70 in Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) and one post in Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation, according to the release.