HC stays 72 cases against Daily Star editor
The High Court yesterday stayed the proceedings of 72 cases filed against The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam for allegedly defaming Awami League President Sheikh Hasina by publishing unsubstantiated information provided by the an intelligence agency during the army-backed government in 2007-08. In response to separate bail petitions, the HC bench comprising Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice AKM Shahidul Huq also issued a rule asking the government to explain why the cases should not be quashed. The HC stay order on proceedings of the cases would remain till disposal of the rules. Earlier on April 3, another HC bench granted Mahfuz Anam anticipatory bails in 66 cases out of the total 83. The proceedings of 10 other cases filed on similar grounds, however, will continue as the Daily Star editor is yet to seek stay on these cases. Mahfuz Anam, on a TV talk show on February 3, reportedly admitted that he made a big mistake by running corruption new items on his newspaper based on information provided by the DGFI during the 2007-2008 caretaker regime. I admit it. It was a big mistake as an editor, in my journalism career, Anam reportedly said on the talk show. More than 83 cases have so far been filed across the country bringing charges of defamation and sedition against Mahfuz Anam for running false corruption stories against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
