TV reporter, host sued over defaming ex-minister Hasan

Former environment and forests minister Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday sued a reporter and a host of Jamuna TV for defaming him by disseminating "false" information.

According to the case statement, staff reporter Sazzad Parvez and anchor Mir Ahsan falsely claimed in a report aired on June 5 that the minister is chairman of Shukhi Bangla Foundation and he embezzled climate fund through this NGO.

The report titled “Jalabayu Tahobil Nay Chhay” (misappropriation of climate fund), part of the television's “Investigation 360 Degree” programme, also said the minister spent Tk 35 crore only on 200 caged birds under the "Sheikh Russel Aviary and Eco-park" project in Rangunia upazila of Chittagong, added the complaint.

The court of senior judicial magistrate, with which the defamation case was filed, asked the two people accused to appear before it one month later.

Dr Hasan Mahmud said he had not had any relation with the NGO since 2006 and he did not embezzle any fund.

Meanwhile, Sukhi Bangla Foundation's General Secretary Salah Uddin lodged another case against the two with the same court over the same allegations.