Court takes cognisance of defamation suit against Shajahan
A Dhaka court on Thursday took cognisance of a defamation case filed by Nirapad Sarak Chai founder Ilias Kanchan against former shipping minister Shajahan Khan.
The court of joint district and sessions judge Utpal Bhattyacharya also ordered the former minister and transport workers’ leader to submit a written answer before the court in this regard.
Supreme Court lawyer Md Rezaul Karim filed the Tk 1 billion defamation case against the former minister on behalf of Ilias Kanchan on Wednesday.
The case statement said, on 8 December last year, Shajahan Khan at a programme in Rupganj, Narayanganj made offensive and abusive remarks about film star and Nirapad Sarak Chai founder Ilias Kanchan.
Indicating Ilias Kanchan Shajahan said, “You’ve taken millions of taka from the foreigners for your NGO, Nirapad Sarak Chai. How many organisations, schools have you set up? I’d disclose it to the people how much money Ilias Kanchan gets and for what purposes, how much money he takes for himself and how much for his son and daughter-in-law.”
Ilias Kanchan on 2 February gave a 24-hour ultimatum to Shahjahan Khan to withdraw his remarks but the leader of ruling Bangladesh Awami League did not budge.
