Murad Hassan takes preparation to leave country
Ruling Awami League MP from Jamalpur-4 constituency, Murad Hassan, who lost his cabinet membership for detestable and extremely abusive speech against women, has been taking preparations to leave the country. He has bought a ticket to fly to Canada on Thursday night. The former state minister for information and broadcasting affairs bought the ticket on Wednesday, says airlines sources.
Murad Hassan submitted his red passport on the day of his resignation on Tuesday, said a source from the office of the former state minister.
Prothom Alo phoned Murad Hassan but he did not pick up the call.
Meanwhile, steps are underway to take legal actions against the disgraced former state minister, who was seen in a viral video making extremely indecent remarks about Zaima Rahman, granddaughter of Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia. Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has identified 387 links on various online platforms, including social media, containing his abusive and indecent speeches.
His name has been removed from the ministry’s plaque and its website.
Writ filed with High Court
A writ has been filed with the High Court seeking the apex court’s directives to investigate into the recent activities of Murad Hassan, who is still an MP of the ruling party from Jamalpur-4 constituency, for judicial purposes. The writ also sought directives as to why an order will not be given to take necessary steps to announce his constituency vacant. The writ further sought a ruling on as to why his recent activities and telephonic conversations would not be announced unconstitutional. It also pleaded for directives for judicial inquiry against Murad Hassan if any ruling is passed.
Supreme Court lawyer Yunus Ali Akand filed the writ on Wednesday. Speaking to Prothom Alo, he said the hearing could be held in the next week.
17 links of indecent speech removed
Out of the 387 links identified on various online platforms, including social media, containing abusive and indecent speeches of Murad Hassan, BTRC has removed 15 Facebook and two YouTube links. BTRC’s lawyer Khandaker Reza-e-Rakib told the High Court bench comprising justice M Enayetur Rahim and justice M Mostafizur Rahman on Wednesday.
During the hearing the court said BTRC should have a “vigilance team” so that it can work to keep the law and order situation under control by following rumour and objectionable audio-video contents online.
Earlier, on Tuesday, Supreme Court lawyer Syed Sayedul Haque sought the court’s directives regarding removal of Murad Hassan’s indecent and abusive audio and video contents from online.
Sacked from upazila Awami League
Sarishabari upazila unit Awami League has made a recommendation to the central committee of the party for expelling MP Murad Hassan from Awami League. Speaking to Prothom Alo, Sarishabari upazila Awami League president Sanwar Hossain said the decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the committee on Wednesday evening.
Earlier, on Tuesday, Jamalpur district unit Awami League held an emergency meeting and relived Murad Hassan of the party’s health and population affairs secretary post. The district unit also sent a recommendation to the central committee for the final decision.