The High Court today stayed a government decision to deduct marks from second time admission seekers in government-run medical colleges and institutions.

The court also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government to explain why the decision to deduct five marks should not be declared illegal.

The bench of justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Jahangir Hossain came up with the order and rule after hearing a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Eunus Ali Akond.

Yesterday, writ petitioner Advocate Eunus Ali Akond placed argued that the government's decision to deduct marks is discriminatory and contradictory to the national education policy.

On August 28, he submitted the petition saying that the government, reportedly on August 20, decided to deduct five marks from total marks of the second time medical admission seekers.

The decision violated the constitutional provision of equality and equal opportunity of the candidates, Advocate Eunus said in the petition.