Bashundhara Group chairman among 11 sued in defamation case by whip

A case has been filed on charges of defamation against 11 people including Bashundhara Group chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan alias Shah Alam, his son and East West Media Group Limited (EWMGL) managing director Sayem Sobhan in Chattogram.

Jatiya Sangsad whip and member of parliament from Patiya in Chattogram, Shamsul Haque Chowdhury, filed the case with the court of Patiya joint district and sessions judge Mohammad Abdul Quader seeking compensation of Tk 5 billion.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, plaintiff's lawyer Dipak Kumar Sheel said the court issued summons against the accused by accepting the case.

The accused are: Bangladesh Protidin editor Naem Nizam, Kaler Kantha editor Imdadul Haque Milan, Daily Sun editor Enamul Haque Chowdhury, Bangladesh Protidin Dhaka correspondent Saidur Rahman Rimon, Chattogram correspondents Riaz Haidar Chowdhury and Mohammad Selim, Kaler Kantha Chattogram correspondent SM Rana, TV channel News 24 editor and Banglanews24.com online news portal editor.

After the case, speaking to newsmen at the court, the plaintiff's lawyer Dipak Kumar Sheel said the accused have humiliated JS whip Shamsul Haque Chowdhury, his son and Chattogram Chamber of Commerce, Industries director Nazmul Karim Chowdhury Sharun and family members out of anger by publishing false, baseless and fabricated news.

The plaintiff has been defamed in it. Over 100 news of defamation were published by newspaper, online and TV channel under the ownership of Akbar Sobhan and Sayem Sobhan.

Whip son Nazmul Karim Chowdhury Sharun said, "The accused did not respond although they were sent a legal notice. Being respectful to the law, we have filed the case. We hope will get justice."