Criminal defamation cases have been filed in Kushtia and Khulna against Jamaat-e-Islami–nominated Kushtia-3 candidate Mufti Amir Hamza for allegedly making derogatory remarks about the late Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
In Kushtia, the case was filed on Sunday by Solaiman Chowdhury Shihab, joint convener of the Islamic University unit of Chhatra Dal. According to the complaint, several videos circulating on social media show Mufti Amir Hamza making derogatory comments during a religious sermon. He allegedly mocked the name of the late Arafat Rahman Koko and made offensive remarks about Khaleda Zia’s imprisonment during the previous Awami League government.
Shihab said he came across the videos on January 16 while near Lalon Shah Hall at Islamic University. The complaint claims the remarks harmed the honour and dignity of Arafat Rahman Koko, Begum Khaleda Zia, and their family. The acts are alleged to be punishable under Sections 500, 501 and 502 of the Penal Code. The plaintiff requested the court to issue a summons or arrest warrant against the accused.
Shihab stated that the case was not politically motivated. “Publicly making derogatory remarks about a deceased individual and a former prime minister is unacceptable. As a responsible citizen, I approached the court to uphold social decency and mutual respect,” he said.
Advocate Abdul Majid, counsel for the complainant, said the court accepted the case and fixed February 1 for a hearing. “We hope justice will be ensured through legal proceedings,” he added.
Contacted, Amir Hamza’s personal assistant Abu Bakr said they had not yet received any notice from the court. “We will take appropriate legal steps once the notice is received,” he said.
Earlier, Mufti Amir Hamza claimed on his verified Facebook page that he had received death threats. In the post, he said he was prepared for any eventuality, requested others to take care of his three daughters in his absence, and urged supporters to continue what he described as a struggle for justice in Kushtia.
Meanwhile, in Khulna, another defamation case was filed with the court of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate by Md Zahirul Islam Bappi, president of the Khulna Metropolitan unit of the Arafat Rahman Koko Smriti Sangsad.
Confirming the matter, plaintiff’s lawyer Advocate Babul Howlader said the court accepted the case and ordered an investigation. The Officer-in-Charge of Sonadanga Model Police Station has been directed to investigate the allegations and submit a report to the court by May 25.
According to the Khulna complaint, the plaintiff came across a Facebook video on January 16 while at the office of the Arafat Rahman Koko Smriti Sangsad in the C&B Colony area under Sonadanga Police Station. In the video, the accused allegedly made mocking, offensive and obscene remarks using the name of the late Arafat Rahman Koko, which were later widely circulated on social media.
The plaintiff alleged that the comments severely defamed Arafat Rahman Koko, his family, the BNP and its affiliated organisations, as well as leaders and activists of the Smriti Sangsad, causing serious social harm.
The complaint states that eyewitnesses and relevant evidence support the allegations and requests the court to take cognisance of the case under Section 500 of the Penal Code and issue an arrest warrant against the accused.
