Denying his link with filing of defamation cases against former Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Sayeed Khokon, the incumbent Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh on Tuesday said the cases were lodged by overexcited individuals.
"I have no connection with filing of the cases. Two self-motivated lawyers have done it without my permission. I hope they will withdraw the cases," he said in response to a question from media.
Mr Taposh was speaking at a press conference on celebrating 'Shakrain 2021', a flagship festival of Old Dhaka, arranged at Mayor Hanif Auditorium in the city's Nagar Bhaban.
Meanwhile, the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court on the day deferred its order on acceptance of the two defamation cases against Sayeed Khokon until January 19. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Rajesh Chowdhury set the new date after primary hearing on the petitions.
On Monday afternoon, two lawyers - Kazi Anisur Rahman and Sarwar Alam - filed the cases with the CMM Court against Mr Khokon, claiming his recent remarks against the current DSCC mayor defamatory.
The cases were filed following Sheikh Taposh's conversation with the reporters, where he said cases would be filed against Sayeed Khokon for bringing false allegations against him. Responding to another question about counter-statements between the DSCC's incumbent and former mayors, Mr Taposh said, "It has become a farcical issue, and I shouldn't comment on the matter anymore due to my position."
He also opined that people can express many views. There will be comments about a person holding a responsible position. But not all the remarks matter, and it will not be appropriate (for him) to comment on such things. Talking about whether or not he will take any legal actions against Mr Khokon, the DSCC mayor said, "The former mayor made aggressive comments against me due to his personal grudge, which can be considered defamatory."
"We are reviewing the matter, and if needed, case will be filed. I told these on Monday also," he added.
The verbal brawl between the DSCC's former and current mayors originated when Mr Khokon, at a human-chain in front of the High Court on January 9, noted that the incumbent mayor first needs to free himself from corruption to make his administration free from graft.
According to the case documents, Mr Khokon in the programme also said Mr Taposh had been "talking big against corruption after becoming the DSCC mayor, but such stories do not suit him."
Sheikh Taposh transferred hundreds of crores of taka from the DSCC coffer to Modhumoti Bank Ltd, which is owned by the incumbent mayor, Sayeed Khokon also alleged. Meanwhile, according to news agencies, a platform named 'Dhakabashi' (residents of Dhaka) demonstrated in favour of Mr Khokon, and demanded removal of defamation cases against him.
They organised the demo at Bahadur Shah Park in Old Dhaka on Tuesday.
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