The High Court yesterday stayed the January 12 recruitment tests for senior officers, officers and cash officers in three state-run banks -- Sonali, Rupali and Janata.

In response to a writ petition, the court also halted the process for recruitment in these posts on the basis of the circular issued by Bangladesh Bank in 2017.

It also issued a rule asking the respondents to explain within four weeks why they should not be directed to hold the recruitment exams for the three banks as per the 2016 circulars, which were separately issued by the BB, before holding the recruitment tests based on the 2017 circular.

Finance secretary, BB governor and chairman and secretary of Bank Recruitment Selection Committee have been made respondents. 

Preliminary tests of the three banks were scheduled to be held on January 12. 

The bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice JBM Hassan came up with the order and rule after hearing a writ petition filed by 28 candidates who applied for the recruitment after circulars had been issued in 2016.

Rashedul Haque Khokon and Tanzim Al Islam appeared for the writ petitioners.

Citing the writ petition, Tanzim told The Daily Star that the BB had issued three separate circulars in 2016 for recruiting senior officers, officers and cash officers in Sonali, Rupali and Janata banks.

Without holding the recruitment exams in line with the circulars, the central bank issued a combined circular for recruitment in these posts of eight state-run banks, including Sonali, Rupali and Janata, which is illegal, he said, adding that his clients had not applied for the posts when the combined circular was issued in 2017.