BNP leader Khandker Mosharraf charged for defamation

A Dhaka court has ordered trial against senior BNP leader Khandker Mosharraf Hossain in a case of defamation.

The court of Metropolitan Magistrate Ataul Haque framed charges against the former minister on Monday and set Jan 22 for the next hearing.

It also quashed a plea to acquit Hossain in the case, defense counsel Borhan Uddin told bdnews24.com.

The BNP Standing Committee member, who is now in jail in a case accusing him of money laundering, was brought to the court on Monday.

He pleaded innocent before the court.

AB Siddiqui, president of pro-Awami League orgnanisation 'Jananetri Parishad' filed the libel suit on Jan 22 last year.

According to case details, on Dec 31, 2012, the accused had allegedly said that then Awami League-led government annulled the caretaker system to retain state power by conspiracy.

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“The father of this Prime Minister had also dreamt to stay in power permanently by forming BAKSAL. But the dream was shattered. If the incumbent government tries to stay in power through polls under a partisan government, it will have to suffer the same fate as 1975,” Hossain had allegedly said.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had formed Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BAKSAL) on June 7, 1975 after the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution.

BAKSAL aimed to set up a political structure like contemporary socialist countries, but was accused of creating one-party rule.

The Father of the Nation was killed along with most members of his family on the night of Aug 15, 1975 in a military coup.

The case claimed Hossain’s statements had defamed the Prime Minister in the country and abroad and said she was suffering from insecurity as a result of the threat of a “repeat of 1975”.