HC declares Manju Ittefaq editor, publisher

Anwar Hossain Manju becomes the publisher, printer and editor of the Ittefaq after a High Court ruling.

Dhaka, July 8 (bdnews24.com) — The High Court has thrown out the writ petition filed to fix a dispute over the printers line of Ittefaq, one of the oldest daily newspapers of the country.

The dismissal will allow Anwar Hossain Manju, one of the two sons of the newspaper's founder Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia, the publisher, printer and editor of the paper.

The bench of justices Syed Mahmud Hossain and Gobinda Chandra Tagore delivered the verdict following a petition submitted by Mainul Hosein, another son of Manik Mia.

It also cancelled a previous injunction order over the post of publisher.

The deputy commissioner of Dhaka, on Mar 25 last year, rejected a plea made by Saju Husein, wife of Mainul Husein, claiming the post of publisher.

The High Court on Apr 2 last year imposed the injunction over the printer's line of the newspaper upon a writ petition filed by Mainul Hosein challenging the DC's order. Since the injunction, name of Saju Hossain was being published as the publisher.

On May 2 this year, an agreement was signed between the two brothers, which gave ownership of Ittefaq's title and goodwill to Anwar Hossain Manju and his sisters, while his brother Mainul Hosein was given ownership of the building.

In line with the deal, petitioner's counsel Mahmudul Islam filed the petition for the cancellation of the writ. Barrister Rafiq-ul-Haq and Rabeya Jamali stood for Anwar Hossain.

Jamali told bdnews24.com, "Anwar Hossain now has no obstacle in being the paper's editor and publisher".

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