Dhaka: The High Court on Monday stayed for six months the government’s order suspending BNP-backed Gazipur City Corporation Mayor MA Mannan.

An HC bench, comprising Justice Quamrul Islam Siddique and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil, passed the order following a petition, reports UNB.

The HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain why the suspension order against MA Mannan should not be declared illegal and unlawful.

Six people, including the secretary for Local Government and Rural Development Ministry and Gazipur deputy commissioner, were made respondents to the rule.

Khandaker Mahbub Hossain stood for the petitioner while Attorney General Mahbubey Alam represented the state.

On 19 August 2015, the government suspended Gazipur City Corporation Mayor MA Mannan as he had been charged with criminal offences.

Later, MA Mannan filed a writ petition challenging the government order on 31 March 2016.