Dhaka, Nov. 19 -- A writ petition was filed on Tuesday with the High Court (HC) challenging the legality of the government's decision to merge five financially distressed private banks into a single Shariah-based institution.

The petition was submitted by Barrister Mahsib Hossain, representing one Shahidul Islam, a general investor.

The Bangladesh Bank Governor, the Finance Secretary and other officials have been made respondents to the rule.

The writ is expected to be placed before a competent bench of the HC bench for hearing soon. The move comes weeks after the government's Advisory Council approved the merger proposal on October 9 in an effort to stabilise the troubled banking sector.

The troubled banks are First Security Islami B...