A Narayanganj court yesterday issued a warrant for the arrest of The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam in a defamation case.
Narayanganj Senior Judicial Magistrate Saiduzzaman Sharif passed the order after taking the case into cognisance yesterday afternoon.
Mohsin Mia, joint secretary of Narayanganj District Lawyers Association, filed the Tk10 crore defamation case against Mahfuz Anam for carrying “confusing” and “defamatory” reports in his daily about Awami League President Sheikh Hasina during the 2007-08 military-backed caretaker regime.
Confirming the Dhaka Tribune about the arrest warrant, petitioner’s counsel Mahmuda Mala said the next hearing in the case will be held on March 28.
According to the case statement, the “fake stories” published by Mahfuz Anam on Sheikh Hasina in his daily during the 2008 caretaker government’s regime defamed the prime minister that led her to the jail.
Meanwhile, thirteen more cases were filed against The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam yesterday for publishing “confusing” and “defamatory” reports in his daily about Awami League President Sheikh Hasina during the 2007-08 military-backed caretaker regime, reports UNB.
Of the cases, 11 were filed on defamation while the rest two on sedition charges.
In Sherpur, former president of district Chhatra League Anwarul Hasan Utpal filed a sedition case with the court of Sherpur Chief Judicial Magistrate Saifur Rahman.
The court asked the officer-in-charge of Sadar police station to take the case after taking permission from the Home Ministry.
In Habiganj, Sheikh Moktar Hossain Benu, general secretary of district unit Krishak League, filed a case against Mahfuz Anam on charge of sedition with the court of Senior Judicial Magistrate Nishat Sultana. The court fixed April 18 for the next hearing.
Two defamation cases were filed in Barisal. Advocate Rafiqul Islam Khokon, member of Bangabandhu Ainjibi Parishad, and Advocate Quayum Khan Kaisar filed the Tk100 crore cases each with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court.
In Comilla, Abu Taiyab Api, president of Comilla South District unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League, filed a case with the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Cognisance Court 1 Joynab Begum, while Tariqul Islam Nayan, president of Daudkandi upazila unit BCL, filed another case with the Senior Judicial Magistrate Cognisance Court 3.
In Jessore, former president of Chougachha upazila unit Awami League Shahjahan Kabir filed a Tk10 crore defamation case with the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court.
Taking the cognisance of the complaint, the court asked the English daily editor to appear before it by March 6.
Anwar Hossain, general secretary of district unit Chhatra League, filed another case with the court of Jessore Sadar Cognisance Court Abu Ibrahim.
In Satkhira, assistant public prosecutor (APP) Advocate Sahedur Rahman filed a case with the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Mahidul Haque.
The court summoned Mahfuz Anam to appear before it.
In Bagerhat, district Chhatra League President Monir Hossain filed a Tk10,000 crore defamation case with the court of Senior Judicial Magistrate Zahidul Azad.
In Jhalakati, Advocate Bony Amin Baklai, a member of Jhalakati Bar Association, filed a Tk5 crore case with the court of Senior Judicial Magistrate.
In Kushtia, Adasul Haq Soleman, president of district unit “Amra Mujib Shena,” filed a Tk50,000 crore defamation case with the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Sazedur Rahman.
In Lalmonirhat, general secretary of district unit Swechchhasebak League Advocate Shariful Islam Raju filed a Tk100 crore case with the court of Additional Chief Judicial Cognisance Court 1 Mehedi Hasan.
Earlier, 27 more cases were filed against The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam in different parts of the country.