Dhaka: The Supreme Court on Wednesday released the full text of its verdict that scrapped the possession of a house by BNP senior leader Moudud Ahmed at Holding No 159 in Gulshan-2 area of Dhaka.

On Tuesday, a five-member Appellate Division bench, led by the Chief Justice SK Sinha, passed the order after hearing a petition filed by the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) against a High Court order for the mutation of the house on the 13-bigha plot against the name of Moudud’s brother Manjur Ahmed.

The order also said Moudud will file a review petition against the verdict within 30 days.

Talking to reporters after the hearing, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said Maudud, according to the verdict, occupied the house illegally against his brother’s name and will have to hand it over to Rajuk.

If it is not handed over, Rajuk and the government will take proper steps to take control over the house, he added.

In his reaction to the Appellate Division verdict, Moudud told reporters, ‘I am a victim of political vengeance. The government would not have appealed in this connection if (I was) not a leader of an opposition party.’

The BNP leader said he will file a review appeal against the verdict.

On the same day, the Appellate Division held a separate hearing on a petition filed by Moudud Ahmed and his brother Manjur Ahmed against the charge framing of a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for grabbing the Gulshan house.

The Appellate Division scrapped the criminal case filed by the ACC as the Rajuk case in connection with the same house was awaiting its hearing.

On 12 August, 2010, the High Court ordered mutation of the house on plot-159 of Gulshan-2 in the name of Manjur.

Later, Rajuk filed an appeal with the Appellate Division challenging the order.

After hearing the appeal, the Appellate Division scraped Manjur’s ownership of the house.

On the other hand, on 17 December, 2013, Deputy Director of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Harun-or-Rashid filed a case with Gulshan Police Station against Moudud and Manjur on charge of grabbing the house.

On 14 June, 2014, a lower court took cognizance of the case and framed charges against the two brothers.

Later, Moudud and his brother filed a writ petition with the HC challenging the legality of a lower court order taking cognizance of the charges.

However, the HC dismissed the writ petition on 23 June, 2015, clearing the way for continuation of the case.

Following this, Moudud and Manjur filed the appeal to the Appellate Division seeking rejection of the HC order.