Defamation Case

HC asks Farroque, Anee to surrender before trial court

4 April 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

The High Court yesterday rejected a bail prayer of opposition chief whip Zainul Abdin Farroque and lawmaker Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee and directed them to surrender before the trial court within eight weeks in a defamation case. The case was filed in Chittagong against them on charges of making 'derogatory' remarks about prime minister's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy. The HC bench of Justice MA Wahhab Miah and Justice Md Abdur Razzaque also gave a warning to the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Chittagong, as he issued arrest warrant against the BNP leaders in this case without issuing summons against them. The HC directed the trial court to grant bail to the accused after their surrender. It also asked the government not to harass or arrest the accused during this eight weeks' period. Farroque and Anne yesterday appeared before the HC to seek bail. On March 25, Dirghatamo Barua, a local Awami League leader, filed the defamation case against Farroque and Anee, as they brought allegations of illegal Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) business against Joy.