Don't publish allegations against Tarique without his

BNP yesterday called upon the media not to publish any allegation against Tarique Rahman made by the ruling Awami League men until journalists are allowed to circulate his defence.

"It is a question of ethics and principles," said BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, describing Tarique as a victim of one-sided criticism.

The senior leader made the call while addressing a press briefing at the BNP chief's Gulshan office to express party's condemnation of the filing of a charge sheet against Tarique in Gazipur.

On January 7, the High Court banned publication of BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman's statements in the print, electronic and social media as long as he remains a fugitive.

Tarique has been staying London since 2008.

Police filed the charge sheet against him on Tuesday for “masterminding” an arson attack on a bus in Gazipur on January 21.

Nazrul said the "false" and "imaginary" charges were filed to divert people's attention from the government's misrule and to create obstacles to reform in BNP.

"The charge sheet was filed at a time when the government is embarrassed for conflict inside the party as well as in the alliance, when the people are fed up with murder, abduction, violence against women and when grabbing of Hindus' property crossed all records," he said.

Claiming Tarique to be innocent, Nazrul said police did not mention his name in the first information report (FIR) of the Gazipur arson attack but rather included him later.

Referring to the charge sheet, he said, "It said Tarique Rahman had instructed his personal assistant [Lutfur Rahman Badal] and the son of Gazipur city's mayor from London to carry out the arson attack, but we want to make it clear that Tarique had no PS by that name and neither of the two had relations with BNP."       

BNP standing committee members Moudud Ahmed, Hannan Shah, and Gayeshwar Chandra Roy were also present at the press conference.