HARASSMENT OF UNO
Law ministry moves to transfer Barisal judge
The law ministry yesterday sent a proposal to the Supreme Court seeking its approval to transfer Barisal chief metropolitan magistrate (CMM) Ali Hossain in connection with the harassment of Barguna sadar UNO Tariq Salman after the filing of a defamation case against the official.
The law ministry plea comes just a day after the authorities concerned removed two deputy commissioners (DCs) from duty over the same issue.
High Court Divisions Additional Registrar (Admin) Sabbir Faiz told The Independent that the ministry has issued a letter
regarding this matter. He said that the letter sought to transfer Barisal CMM Ali Hossain. Now, the Supreme Courts General Administration Committee will let the law ministry know about its decision, he added.
Judge Hossain made headlines after rejecting a bail plea filed against Barguna UNO Tariq Salman in connection with a defamation case filed by Obaidullah Saju, the religious affairs secretary of Awami Leagues Barisal district unit and president of Barisal Lawyers Association.
Saju filed the Tk 5-crore defamation case against the UNO for publishing a distorted photo of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at invitation cards issued on the occasion of the Independence Day.
On July 19, Salman appeared before the Barisal CMM court and sought bail saying that the portrait was drawn by one of the winners of an official drawing competition for school children on the occasion of the National Childrens Day.
However, Barisal CMM Hossain scrapped his bail plea and the public servant was kept in a lock-up of the court for two hours until the same judge granted him bail.
For this, Saju was temporarily suspended from the party and the case against the UNO was quashed.
The case triggered a social media outcry with many praising the UNOs move of placing Bangabandhus portrait painted by a child on the invitation card.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself has criticised the case, courts action and the harassment of the UNO and said that the UNOs initiative deserved recognition and reward.
