The High Court on Monday stayed the government order suspending Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury for the second time.

Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice Md Ataur Rahman Khan passed the order following a petition filed by his lawyer.

The HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain why the suspension order of Mayor Ariful should not be declared illegal and unlawful, reports UNB.

Six people, including the secretary for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Ministry, have been made respondents to the rule, which is returnable in one week.

Earlier, on Sunday, Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury was suspended again hours after taking charge.

The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives issued a circular in this regard as he is an accused in criminal cases.

Advocate Abdul Halim Kafi, a counsel of Ariful, filed a writ petition challenging the government order in the morning.

Earlier, on March 13, The High Court stayed for six months the government order suspending Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury.

On January 7, 2015, the government suspended  Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury as he had been charged with the killing of former Finance Minister SMA Kibria.