Sylhet: The government on Sunday filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging a High Court order that stayed its order suspending Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury from his office for being accused in a criminal case.

Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Syed Mahmud Hossain sent the petition to the regular apex court bench fixing March 23 for hearing, said Ariful’s lawyer Barrister Abdullah Kafi.

On March 13, the HC bench of Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice Md Ataur Rahman Khan stayed the suspension of Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury for six months.

The LGRD Ministry on January 7, 2015, suspended him as his name came in the charge-sheet submitted in the former finance minister Shah ASM Kibria murder trial.