A man yesterday filed a defamation case against suspended Gazipur city mayor Mohammad Zahangir Alam for making derogatory comments on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Liberation War martyrs.

Atiqur Rahman, chairman of Antorjatik Bhasa Andolon Parishad, a cultural organisation in Gazipur, filed the Tk 100 crore defamation case against him with Gazipur Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court.

In the case statement, the plaintiff alleged that Zahangir was not respectful to law, despite being a mayor. He made derogatory comments on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Liberation War martyrs on September 13.

The comments went viral on Facebook. It has jeopardised the image of the country and countrymen in the international arena. Being aggrieved by the incident, the plaintiff has filed the case, according to the case statement.

Taking the case into cognizance, the court directed Gazipur's Gacha Police Station to investigate the allegations and submit a report by January 30 next year.

On November 25, the Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Ministry suspended Zahangir from the mayoral post following several allegations that include illegal land grabbing, not compensating people after taking over land for development and working against the public interest.

On November 19, Zahangir was expelled from Awami League for his controversial comments on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Liberation War martyrs.