The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a stay order from the High Court on the making of a film based on the story of Jahalam on Tuesday, who was wrongly-convicted and imprisoned for three years due to an identity mix-up. But the before the petition of ACC was filed, the film’s director Afrin Maria Tusar postponed film’s production on Monday evening.
ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan told the Dhaka Tribune on Monday: “The ACC will file a petition with the court in this regard on Tuesday,”
“We have prepared all the necessary documents, which will be submitted to a vacation bench on Tuesday,” Khurshid added.
Jahalam was arrested in 2016 after he was mistaken for Abu Salek, who was accused in 33 cases filed by the ACC over loan fraud and the embezzlement of nearly Tk18.5 crore from Sonali Bank.
Jahalam was released on February 4, a day after it was brought to the High Court’s attention that he was serving time instead of Salek.
“The HC in a verbal order on March 6 said nothing can be done on any sub-judice matter. The attempt to make a film would be in contempt of court,” said Khurshid.
Previously, Bangladeshi film-maker Maria Afrin Tusar informed media that a film based on Jahalam's life was being planned, and she had registered with the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation to direct the film.
But before the petition of the ACC was filed, the film’s director Afrin Maria Tussar announced the closure of the film.
She took to her personal Facebook profile on Tuesday (March 18) evening and wrote: “The production of the film has been postponed due to the overall situation and legal complications. As the director I will stay out of shooting any kind of scenes for the film.”