Dhaka, Dec. 29 -- The Appellate Division on Monday ordered the immediate removal of Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna's name from the list of loan defaulters, clearing the way for his participation in the upcoming national polls.

A single member bench of Justice Md Rezaul Haque passed the order after hearing a petition submitted by Manna challenging a High Court (HC) order.

The court also stayed the HC order for eight weeks.

Following the order, Manna has now no barriers to contest the election from the Bogura-2 constituency.

Senior lawyers Ahsanul Karim, Syed Mamun Mahbub, Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, and Mostafizur Rahman stood for Manna while senior lawyer Abdul Kaiyum represented Islami Bank during the hearing at the cou...