DHAKA: The Appellate Division Sunday upheld the High Court verdict canceling the first viva of the 27th BCS examinations, but took a lenient view of the candidates who could lose their already-provided jobs.

A full division bench headed by the Chief Justice made the verdict that allowed the successful candidates to continue with their jobs “on humanitarian grounds”.       

The bench of six judges of the apex court turned down the writ filed by a group of candidates, including one named Monir Hossain, challenging the cancellation order.

The court also issued order settling another writ plea and made some observations.

 The Public Service Commission (PSC) cancelled the first viva voce examination of the 27th BCS examination during the last Caretaker Government regime. Some candidates, including Monir Hossain, filed a writ petition challenging the PSC decision.

The HC division bench of Justice M Abdur Rashid and Justice M Ashrsful Islam on July 3, 2008 declared the PSC decision legal that allowed the government recruiter to arrange a second viva.

This time, a group of candidates, including M Sohel Rana, filed another writ, which let the division bench of Justice Meftah Uddin Chowdhury Rumi and Justice AB Siddqui declare the second viva illegal again. 

The bench ordered the PSC to appoint the successful candidates of the first viva according to merit within three months.

Additional Attorney-General Murad Reza told banglanews24.com.bd that the SC order allowed the successful candidates in the second viva to remain in their services.

BDST: 1725 HRS, JULY 11, 2010