Neither actor Zayed Khan nor his rival actress Nipun Akter can hold the office of the general secretary of Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association until a full-bench hearing on the controversy is held on February 13, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court said on Wednesday.

Responding to an appeal by Nipun Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice Obaidul Hassan passed the order that also stayed an earlier High Court ruling in favour of Zayed’s claim to have fairly won the January 28 election.

Barrister Rokon Uddin Mahmud and Barrister Mostafizur Rahman stood for actress Nipun while Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun, Advocate Ahsanul Karim and Advocate Nahid Sultana Juthi represented actor Zayed.

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On Monday, a division bench of High Court justices Mamnoon Rahman and Khandaker Diliruzzaman stayed the decision of the Election Appellate Board that revoked the candidacy of Zayed for alleged irregularities in the vote and declared Nipun an uncontested winner.

The HC bench also stayed the effectiveness of the letter, sent by the Department of Social Welfare asking Election Appeal Board to take decision over Nipun’s allegation.

The HC also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain by February 15 why the decision to cancel the actor's candidacy should not be declared illegal.

On Saturday, the Election Appellate Board decided to remove Zayed from the post of general secretary of the association over allegations that he had resorted to impropriety in the recent election.

Sohanur Rahman Sohan, chairman of the Board, announced the decision on Saturday evening. A day later, the newly elected committee of the Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association led by Ilias Kanchan and Nipun Akter took the oath of office.

Zayed was declared the winner for the general secretary post against Nipun in a close contest.