Arrest warrant against Tarique in defamation case

A Dhaka court on Wednesday issued warrant of arrest against BNP senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman in a defamation case filed for his ‘disparaging remarks’ against Bangabandhu. Metropolitan magistrate Ataul Haque issued the arrest warrant upon a petition filed by M Monir Khan, an assistant secretary of the central sub-committee of Awami League. The court also fixed January 29, 2015, for the concerned police station to submit an execution report on the arrest warrant. On November 17, a Tk 1 billion defamation case was filed in Dhaka CMM court against Tarique Rahman for his ‘derogatory comments’ on Bangabandhu. On the same day, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Rezaul Karim took cognisance of the defamation suit brought against Tarique by M Monir Khan after recording his statement and ordered the accused to appear before the court on Dec 10. In his statement, the complainant alleged that while addressing a discussion, organised by the UK chapter BNP in London, Tarique had termed Bangabandhu as 'Pakbandhu' and claimed that Bangabandhu returned home carrying a Pakistani passport. ‘These remarks are defamatory not only to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, but also to his daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and his party the Awami League,’ the complainant said, according to UNB.