Defamation cases against TIB officials dismissed

Two Chittagong courts dismissed two defamation cases filed against three officials of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) after publishing its survey report in 2010 saying the judiciary is the most corrupt service sector in the country.
The Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate's court delivered the verdict yesterday, while the Chittagong District Judge Court dismissed a separate case on Sunday, said a press release.
The cases were filed against the then TIB chairman M Hafizuddin Khan, executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman and senior researcher Wahid Alam following publication of the ' Corruption in the Service Sectors: National Household Survey 2010' on December 23.
Welcoming the verdicts, Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, "The verdicts have legitimised the report and have proved its scientific base."
"TIB did not conduct the survey aiming to tarnish the dignity of the judiciary, rather TIB conducts these surveys regularly to ensure transparency and accountability of service providing institutions," he said.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman asserted that cooperation of people and media would encourage them to accelerate the anti-corruption movement and to address challenges in future.