The High Court on Tuesday granted an eight-week bail to The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam in 10 defamation cases. A two-member HC bench comprising Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Md Ataur Rahman Khan granted the bail after bearing petitions filed by the English daily editor.
Mahfuz Anam published reports in his newspaper in 2007against Awami League President Sheikh Hasina based on information provided by DGFI without any scrutiny.In a television talk-show on February 3, he admitted that it was his ‘biggest mistake’ to publish the reports without any verification. Dhaka, UNB News Agency Reported.
Following his statement, leaders and activists of Awami League and its associate bodies filed some 83 defamation and sedition cases with courts across the country, including Dhaka, against him. Of the cases, Mahfuz Anam secured bail in 66 cases from the HC and in six cases from the district courts while another case was quashed.
Later, he filed a writ petition with the HC challenging the legality of the 72 cases. Following his writ, the HC stayed the proceedings of the cases.
