, June 30 -- The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Tuesday cancelled the candidature of BNP leader Aslam Chowdhury, who was unofficially declared elected from the Chattogram-4 constituency in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election, on the ground of loan default.

The verdict, delivered by a four-member bench headed by the Chief Justice, means the election result for the constituency cannot be gazetted, effectively preventing Aslam from taking oath as a member of parliament.

The apex court had concluded hearings on June 15 and fixed June 30 for delivering its judgment.

Senior lawyers Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Miftah Uddin Chowdhury represented Aslam Chowdhury, assisted by Advocate Rokon Uddin Md Faruk. Attorney General Barr...