The High Court has released the full verdict that declared the 2018 government circular related to the cancellation of existing quotas, including for freedom fighters, in direct recruitment to government jobs (grades 9 through 13) as illegal.

However, the High Court also mentions that if the government wishes to change, reduce, or increase the existing percentage of quota, this ruling will not be a bar to it.

As the Appellate Division issued an order on July 10 to maintain status quo regarding the quota, the High Court’s ruling will not be enforced for the time being. The Appellate Division has scheduled a hearing on this matter for August 8.

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The 27-page full verdict was published on the Supreme Court’s website this afternoon.

Previously, on July 11, a one-page brief verdict containing the decision, directives, and orders (operative part) of the High Court’s ruling was published.

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Regarding the ruling, Deputy Attorney General Sheikh Saifuzzaman said, “The Appellate Division has ordered to maintain the status quo regarding the quota. Therefore, the High Court’s ruling will not be implemented at the moment.”

Mansurul Haque Chowdhury, the lawyer for the petitioners at the High Court, said about the ruling, “The ruling has instructed to maintain all quotas. However, if necessary, the government can reduce or increase them. The Appellate Division has ordered to maintain the status quo. Thus, the ruling is not being implemented immediately.”

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