A complaint was filed yesterday against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for making “false and provocative” remarks on religious issues involving the ruling Awami League.
AB Siddique, president of Bangladesh Jananetri Parishad, a pro-Awami league organisation, filed the case with the Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court under sections 153 (A) and 295 (A) of the Penal Code.
Highest punishment under each of the sections is two years’ imprisonment and fines.
After recording the case statement, Judge Md Mustafizur Rahman directed Shahbagh police to investigate the case and submit a report before it by November 19 after obtaining necessary permission from the government.
The complaint states that Khaleda made “false, derogatory and instigative” comments while addressing a function on October 14.
“Khaleda’s remarks, in which she said secularism is Awami League’s mask and it is a party of atheists, have hurt the religious sentiment of the people of the country,” the complainant said.
While briefing reporters, AB Siddique was chased by enraged pro-BNP lawyers in front of the CMM court for filing the case.
Lawyer Mithun Majumdar, an eyewitness, said some pro-BNP lawyers led by Abdul Khalek Milon brought out a procession protesting filing of the case against Khaleda Zia. “At one stage of the procession, they chased and attempted to assault AB Siddique while he was briefing reporters around 3:30pm.”
Sub-Inspector Amitab Chandra of Kotwali police station said: “Some lawyers attempted to assault AB Siddique but they failed as police were present on the spot.”