Mosharraf indicted in defamation case

A Dhaka court on Monday framed charges against BNP standing committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain in a defamation case. Metropolitan Magistrate Md Ataul Haque also fixed January 22 for the formal trial to begin with the deposition of witnesses. Former health minister Dr Khandaker Mosharraf was present in the court and claimed himself innocent and sought justice from the court. AB Siddique, president of Bangladesh Jananetri Parishad, filed the defamation case with Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court on Jan 20, 2013. According to the case statement, at a programme in the city on Dec 31, 2012, Dr Mosharraf had said the government is trying to cling to power through conspiracy and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will have to ‘face the fate of 1975 if the government tries to stay in power by force.’ AB Siddique said Dr Mosharraf’s statement, published in different newspapers on the following day, tarnished the image of the PM, according to UNB.