The High Court today stayed a government decision that cancelled freedom fighter status of 119 members of Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB), clearing their way to get benefits as freedom fighters.

The stay order will remain in force till reopening of the court after the ongoing closure, according to the HC order.

The HC bench of Justice JBM Hassan passed the order following two separate writ petitions filed by the 119 BGB personnel challenging the government decision.

Writ petitioners' lawyer Barrister Abdul Qaium told The Daily Star that the HC stayed the government order cancelling the freedom fighter status of his clients as the government has taken the decision without giving them any scope for defending themselves.

They had been included in the gazette notification of the list of freedom fighters after scrutinising their relevant documents and papers, the lawyer added.

On June 8, the Liberation War affairs ministry issued a gazette notification cancelling freedom fighter status of 1,134 BGB personnel, including the 119 writ petitioners, on charge of obtaining the status by placing forged documents.

The move was reportedly taken following Jatiya Muktijoddha Council's 66th meeting held on December 10 last year.

Deputy Attorney General Samarendranath Biswas represented the state during the virtual hearing on the writ petitions.