HC prohibits publishing Tarique’s statements
The High Court today ordered the government to take steps to prohibit publishing BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman’s statements in print, electronic and social media as long as he remains fugitive.
The government has been asked to take steps immediately in this regard.
While responding to a writ petition filed by a Supreme Court lawyer named Nashreen Siddiqua Lina, the court also asked the authorities concerned of the government and the media to explain why publishing statements of a fugitive accused should not be declared illegal.
The respondents have been given two weeks to furnish their explanation.
The HC bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman passed the order.
Explaining the HC decision to The Daily Star, Deputy Attorney General Biswojit Roy said information secretary and home secretary would have to take steps so that the media refrain from publishing statements of Tarique who has been in London since leaving the country during the caretaker government regime in 2008.
Complying with the order, the government would take necessary steps immediately, he said.
In her petition submitted yesterday, Lina said Tarique, being a fugitive accused, had been making "abusive, slanderous and derogatory" comments about Father of The Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, “violating the constitution”.
She had attached clippings of newspaper reports on Tarique's such recent speeches.
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