Arrest warrant issued for Amir Hamza over ‘derogatory’ remarks on energy minister

A Sirajganj court issues the warrant after the Jamaat MP failed to respond to a summons in the case over comments about Iqbal Hassan Mahmood

A court in Sirajganj has issued an arrest warrant against Kushtia-3 MP and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Amir Hamza in a second defamation case over “derogatory comments” about Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood.

Judge Suman Karmakar of the Chauhali Upazila Cognisance Court passed the order on Tuesday morning, according to Humayun Kabir, the plaintiff and general secretary of the District Bar Association.

Kabir, who is also the additional public prosecutor of the District Judge’s Court, filed the case on Apr 2, accusing Hamza of calling Iqbal, also a senior BNP leader, an “atheist” and “Islamophobic” in a viral speech.

The court had earlier summoned the Jamaat MP, who has previously made headlines for controversial remarks about politicians and actors.

Kabir said Amir Hamza had publicly labelled the minister an “atheist” before Friday prayers in Kushtia Sadar Upazila in late March.

A video lasting 1 minute and 46 seconds later went viral on mainstream and social media, he said.

Kabir said he filed the case under Sections 296, 500 and 504 of the Penal Code, claiming he was angered by the remarks.

“The judge issued the warrant as he did not appear before the court even after being summoned,” he added.

On Mar 30, BNP leader Advocate Nazmul Islam filed a Tk 1 billion defamation case in the Sirajganj Sadar Cognisance Court over the same allegation.

Police are investigating the allegation.