HC clears way for trying Tarique in B'baria court

The High Court yesterday cleared the way for a Brahmanbaria court to run the trial proceedings of a defamation case against BNP leaders Tarique Rahman, Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin and Rizvi Ahmed.

The case was filed with Brahmanbaria Police Station on December 23 last year, as BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman at a programme in London on December 15 last year termed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman "a top Razakar".

Nasir and Rizvi are accused in the suit filed by Brahmanbaria unit Bangladesh Chhatra League President Masum Billah, because they were present there but did not protested against it.

The HC rejected a petition filed by Nasir seeking its directive on the government to transfer the case to a Dhaka court from the Brahmanbaria court, so that he can appear before the court regularly.

In the petition, Nasir also prayed to the HC for staying the case proceedings, Additional Attorney General Momtaz Uddin Fakir told The Daily Star.

Several cases were filed against Tarique, elder son of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, across the country for making derogatory remarks against Bangabandhu and at least seven arrest warrants have been issued against him, as he did not appear before the courts concerned.