Junior Law Minister Qamrul Islam has described the legal notice served on him by BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman as ‘distorted, made-up and motivated’.
Claiming that what he had said about Tarique was ‘true and realistic’, Qamrul Islam on Tuesday demanded the withdrawal of the notice.
A reply was sent to Tarique’s lawyer Kaiser Kamal through senior Supreme Court Senior advocate Abdul Matin Khashru.
In his reply the minister listed several instances of corruption and cases against Rahman, underscoring his refusal to surrender despite the court’s arrest warrant.
Tarique took part in some political programmes in Saudi Arabia and the UK giving speeches, the statement said. “To have done so and not have appeared on warrant amounts to disregarding the court.”
Tarique again made headlines by taking part in a political programme in London after lying low for about five years during his stay in Britain. His speeches drew sharp criticisms from Awami League leaders.
At one point, Tarique had sent legal notices to Qamrul on May 28, alleging defamation, and demanded an unconditional apology. Earlier, a similar notice was sent to Minister for Environment and Forest Hasan Mahmud also.
Tarique’s lawyer Kamal had told bdnews24.com then that Qamrul Islam’s claim that Tarique was conspiring abroad to bring down the Bangladesh government had hurt his reputation. “There is no proof of this,” Kamal had said.
He has been given two weeks time. He has to apologise, otherwise legal steps will be taken.”
The notice said Qamrul had made such statements to tarnish Tarique’s reputation, both politically and socially.
Qamrul’s lawyer Khashru said the notice was issued with questionable political intention and demanded its withdrawal.
Source: Bd news24