The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) has stayed a High Court (HC) judgment that had declared August 15 as a national mourning day and public holiday.
 
"The Appellate Division full bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed passed the order on December 1, "Additional Attorney General Barrister Aneek Rushd Haque told newsmen on Monday.
 
The interim government on August 13, 2024, cancelled the public holiday on August 15 marking the national mourning day, commemorating the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
 
The Cabinet Division in a statement on that day had said the decision to cancel the national holiday on August 15 was taken on the basis of consensus in dialogues between the council of advisers and political parties.
 
Awami League after assuming power in 1996, declared August 15 as the national mourning day and public holiday, but the BNP-led four-party alliance government cancelled the decision after coming to power in 2002. After that three pro-Awami League lawyers filed a writ petition with the High Court, challenging the government's decision.
 
The High Court after that declared the four-party alliance government's decision in this regard illegal and reinstated the national mourning day and public holiday on August 15. Recently the state moved to the apex court, pleading to stay the High Court judgment.