A case has been filed in Cumilla against Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer of Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB) Mufti Faizul Karim for allegedly spreading defamatory and hateful statements about Cumilla-6 lawmaker Md Manirul Haque Chowdhury through social media platforms.
Jalal Ahmed Khokon Talukder, son of Abdus Sattar of Ballavpur village in Sadar South upazila, filed the case at Sadar South Model Police Station on June 20.
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However, the matter came to light on Wednesday.
Apart from Mufti Faizul Karim, the case named Kader Miahji, a resident of the Sadar South, and several unidentified individuals as accused.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), derogatory, satirical and defamatory statements targeting Manirul Haque were circulated on various Facebook accounts and YouTube channels on June 19.
One YouTube video allegedly contained mocking remarks about the MP's beard, cap and attire. In addition, a Facebook account reportedly used the MP’s photograph in a post labelling him a “covert Awami League leader” and “anti-Islamic.”
The FIR further stated that false, misleading and provocative information was being spread in an attempt to damage the MP’s political, social and personal reputation.
The plaintiff claimed to be the Senior Joint Convener of Ward No. 26 unit of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal under Cumilla City Corporation. However, leaders of the city unit said he is not a member of the organisation at any level.
Cumilla City Jubo Dal Member Secretary Roman Hasan said Jalal is not affiliated with Jubo Dal and was previously involved in Jubo League politics.
Officer-in-Charge of the police station Rakibul Islam said the case was accepted following instructions from higher authorities.