Dhaka, March 21 – The Chief Metropolitan Court of Dhaka on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in connection with a case filed for making a “defamatory statement” on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Khaleda Zia is now in the prison after she was convicted on February 8, last year in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. She was also convicted in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case.
After taking cognizance of the charge, Metropolitan Magistrate Md Ziaur Rahman passed the order and directed the Officer-in-Charge of Gulshan Police Station to submit a report on the execution of the arrest warrant by April 17.
Earlier on June 30 last year, Inspector Zafar Ali Biswas of Shahbagh Police Station submitted a probe report on the issue, saying he found authentication of the allegation against Khaleda Zia.
On January 25, 2017, AB Siddique, President of Bangladesh Jananetri Parishad, filed the defamation case with the CMM court of Dhaka. After hearing, the court had asked the OC of Shahbagh PS to submit a report conducting necessary investigation.
In the complaint, Siddique alleged that Khaleda Zia, at a programme on December 31, 2016, said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman wanted to be the Prime Minister of undivided Pakistan rather than leading Bangladesh to the independence.
She further alleged that the Awami League government, in the name of development, looted a large amount of money by delaying the work of flyovers and the Padma Bridge.
The BNP Chief made the comments at the 38th founding anniversary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in Dhaka. Such remarks had defamed the image of Bangabandhu as well as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the complainant said. He appealed to the court to issue an arrest warrant against the BNP Chief.
Another Dhaka court adjourned until April 15 the hearing on charge framing against Khaleda Zia in connection with two cases filed for undermining the national flag and celebrating her fake birthday on every August 15. – Correspondent
