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5/06/2011

Yunus is still MD: Rokan

Yunus is still 


A lawyer for Muhammad Yunus maintains that the sacked Grameen Bank managing director is still in office.

"Until the bank's board takes any steps in line with the Bangladesh Bank order he will be in office, despite the Supreme Court's dismissal of our (recall) petition," barrister Rokan Uddin Mahmud said at a press briefing at his Gulshan residence on Friday.

The senior member of Yunus' legal team made the remarks a day after the Supreme Court rejected their petition to overturn an order sacking the Nobel laureate from the bank.

The top appeals court also snubbed another petition of nine directors of the bank against the High Court order that backed Yunus's removal.

Rokan said: "Nothing can hang in the air. After removal of the managing director, the position can not stay vacant. He will not be in that position if someone is appointed.

"Or he will be in office until the Grameen Bank board of directors takes any other measure," he added.

Citing the central bank order, the senior lawyer said: "Bangladesh Bank in its letter relieved Yunus and asked the board of directors to take further steps."

The Appellate Division on Thursday in its judgement observed that the recall petition was filed out of 'misconception'.

It ruled that Grameen Bank was a government institution, which means employees must abide by the state's mandatory retirement age of 60.

The Bangladesh Bank on Mar 2 removed Yunus as the micro-lender's managing director for allegedly flouting rules when he was reappointed in 1999 beyond the bank's official retirement age.

Rokan said if a review petition was filed with the Supreme Court, the governing body may wait until the verdict.

"Though Yunus has challenged the Bangladesh Bank letter, the letter was actually addressed to the governing body."

He was asked to comment on the attorney general's remarks that after the court threw out the recall petition Yunus can no longer stay as managing director.

Rokan replied, "That may be his personal opinion. In effect, the verdict gives validity to the central bank's letter."

"The letter asked the governing body to take the next step. I think that step will begin now."

He said that they will be able to review once the copy of the verdict reaches them.

The lawyer added that the government may appoint Yunus as chairman if it wants.


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